XUSP vs. SPYI

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

XUSP (Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF) and SPYI (NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XUSP is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while SPYI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Neos. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, XUSP returned 22.81%/yr vs 15.13%/yr for SPYI. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XUSP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for SPYI.

Performance

XUSP vs. SPYI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XUSP achieves a 7.95% return, which is significantly higher than SPYI's 5.49% return.

XUSP

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: -2.62%
• YTD: 7.95%
• 6M: 6.02%
• 1Y: 25.05%
• 3Y*: 22.81%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPYI

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -1.29%
• YTD: 5.49%
• 6M: 4.60%
• 1Y: 18.10%
• 3Y*: 15.13%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XUSP vs. SPYI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XUSP Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF	7.95%	18.27%	30.60%	26.46%	-4.85%
SPYI NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF	5.49%	16.67%	19.03%	18.09%	-3.96%

Correlation

The correlation between XUSP and SPYI is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 30, 2022	0.95

The correlation between XUSP and SPYI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XUSP vs. SPYI — Risk / Return Rank

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

XUSP

XUSP Risk / Return Rank: 49
XUSP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
XUSP Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
XUSP Omega Ratio Rank: 46
XUSP Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
XUSP Martin Ratio Rank: 55

SPYI

SPYI Risk / Return Rank: 60
SPYI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPYI Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPYI Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPYI Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
SPYI Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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. SPYI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF (XUSP) and NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF (SPYI). 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	SPYI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	1.77	-0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	2.42	-0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.34	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.08	2.36	-0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.41	11.69	-3.28

XUSP vs. SPYI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XUSP Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is comparable to the SPYI Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XUSP and SPYI, 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. SPYI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XUSP drawdown since its inception was -22.59%, which is greater than SPYI's maximum drawdown of -16.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XUSP and SPYI.

Drawdown Indicators

	XUSP	SPYI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.59%	-16.47%	-6.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.13%	-7.72%	-4.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.59%	-16.47%	-6.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.01%	-2.55%	-2.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.41%	-1.81%	-2.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	1.55%	+1.44%

Volatility

XUSP vs. SPYI - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF (XUSP) has a higher volatility of 6.50% compared to NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF (SPYI) at 4.26%. This indicates that XUSP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XUSP	SPYI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.50%	4.26%	+2.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.04%	8.28%	+4.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.77%	10.32%	+6.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.33%	13.01%	+6.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.33%	13.01%	+6.32%

XUSP vs. SPYI - Expense Ratio Comparison

XUSP has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYI's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

XUSP vs. SPYI - Dividend Comparison

XUSP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPYI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.02%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
SPYI NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF	13.02%	11.70%	12.04%	12.01%	4.10%
XUSP Innovator Uncapped Accelerated U.S. Equity ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XUSP and SPYI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, XUSP and SPYI 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 SPYI?

XUSP has higher volatility (6.50%) compared to SPYI (4.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XUSP dropped -22.59% vs SPYI's -16.47%.

Which ETF is better, XUSP or SPYI?

On 3-year performance, XUSP leads with 22.81% vs 15.13% for SPYI. On fees, SPYI is cheaper at 0.68% per year. On volatility, SPYI has been the lower-risk option at 4.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XUSP or SPYI?

Over the 3-year period, XUSP has performed better with a 22.81% return vs 15.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XUSP or SPYI?

SPYI is cheaper with a 0.68% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for XUSP.

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

SPYI has the higher dividend yield at 13.02%, compared with 0.00% for XUSP.

What is the main difference between XUSP and SPYI?

XUSP is categorized as Options Trading, while SPYI is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Neos. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for XUSP and 0.68% for SPYI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.51), 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.