XUSP vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XUSP (Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XUSP is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. XUSP is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XUSP returned 23.03%/yr vs 20.68%/yr for SPY. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. XUSP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

XUSP vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF (XUSP) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with XUSP having a 8.52% return and SPY slightly lower at 8.15%.

XUSP

• 1D: -1.82%
• 1M: -2.10%
• YTD: 8.52%
• 6M: 7.07%
• 1Y: 27.74%
• 3Y*: 23.03%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XUSP vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XUSP Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF	8.52%	18.27%	30.60%	26.46%	-10.20%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-8.15%

Correlation

The correlation between XUSP and SPY is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2022	0.98

The correlation between XUSP and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XUSP vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

XUSP

XUSP Risk / Return Rank: 51
XUSP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
XUSP Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
XUSP Omega Ratio Rank: 49
XUSP Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
XUSP Martin Ratio Rank: 57

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

XUSP vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF (XUSP) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	XUSP	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	1.90	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	2.58	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.34	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	2.67	-0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.36	11.92	-2.55

XUSP vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XUSP Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XUSP and SPY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

XUSP vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XUSP drawdown since its inception was -22.59%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XUSP and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	XUSP	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.59%	-55.19%	+32.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.13%	-8.88%	-3.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.59%	-18.76%	-3.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.51%	-3.17%	-1.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.41%	-9.04%	+4.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.97%	1.98%	+0.99%

Volatility

XUSP vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF (XUSP) has a higher volatility of 6.53% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that XUSP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XUSP	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.53%	4.87%	+1.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.07%	9.85%	+3.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.80%	12.50%	+4.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.33%	17.15%	+2.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.33%	17.95%	+1.38%

XUSP vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

XUSP has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

XUSP vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

XUSP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
XUSP Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XUSP and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, XUSP and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, XUSP or SPY?

XUSP has higher volatility (6.53%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XUSP dropped -22.59% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, XUSP or SPY?

On 3-year performance, XUSP leads with 23.03% vs 20.68% for SPY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XUSP or SPY?

Over the 3-year period, XUSP has performed better with a 23.03% return vs 20.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XUSP or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for XUSP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XUSP or SPY?

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.00% for XUSP.

What is the main difference between XUSP and SPY?

XUSP is categorized as Options Trading, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for XUSP and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.66), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.