AIMS vs. SPSM

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

AIMS (Acuitas Small Cap Active ETF) and SPSM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. AIMS is actively managed, while SPSM is passively managed. Their 0.95 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. AIMS charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPSM.

Performance

AIMS vs. SPSM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Acuitas Small Cap Active ETF (AIMS) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

AIMS

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: -3.38%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

SPSM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.67%
• 6M: 15.19%
• YTD: 21.58%
• 1Y: 36.02%
• 3Y*: 13.49%
• 5Y*: 7.48%
• 10Y*: 10.94%
• ALL TIME*: 10.05%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AIMS Acuitas Small Cap Active ETF	$44.61K	$54.43K	$71.07K
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	$90.54M	$95.75M	$94.53M

AIMS vs. SPSM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
AIMS Acuitas Small Cap Active ETF	9.76%
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	10.74%

Correlation

The correlation between AIMS and SPSM is 0.95 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 10, 2026	0.95

Return for Risk

AIMS vs. SPSM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AIMS

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

SPSM

SPSM Risk / Return Rank: 86
SPSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
SPSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
SPSM Omega Ratio Rank: 82
SPSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SPSM Martin Ratio Rank: 88

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AIMS vs. SPSM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Acuitas Small Cap Active ETF (AIMS) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM). 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.

	AIMS	SPSM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.97	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.87	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.34	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.89	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	13.32	—

Drawdowns

AIMS vs. SPSM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIMS drawdown since its inception was -9.18%, smaller than the maximum SPSM drawdown of -42.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIMS and SPSM.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIMS	SPSM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.18%	-42.89%	+33.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.72%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-27.94%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.94%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.44%	-1.91%	-3.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.64%	-7.84%	+5.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.54%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AIMS	SPSM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.45%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	11.63%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.32%	17.29%	+2.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.32%	21.27%	-1.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.32%	22.94%	-3.62%

AIMS vs. SPSM - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIMS has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SPSM's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIMS vs. SPSM - Dividend Comparison

AIMS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.39%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIMS Acuitas Small Cap Active 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%
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	1.39%	1.62%	1.85%	1.61%	1.38%	1.40%	1.34%	1.58%	1.82%	1.51%	1.49%	2.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIMS and SPSM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, AIMS and SPSM 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 ETF is better, AIMS or SPSM?

On fees, SPSM is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIMS or SPSM?

SPSM is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for AIMS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIMS or SPSM?

SPSM has the higher dividend yield at 1.39%, compared with 0.00% for AIMS.

What is the main difference between AIMS and SPSM?

They also come from different issuers: Acuitas Investments and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for AIMS and 0.03% for SPSM.