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BFOR vs. SPMD
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

BFOR vs. SPMD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BFOR (ALPS Barron's 400 ETF) and SPMD (SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds - BFOR tracks the Barron's 400 Index while SPMD tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BFOR returned 12.37%/yr vs 11.51%/yr for SPMD. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BFOR charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPMD.

Performance

BFOR vs. SPMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Barron's 400 ETF (BFOR) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BFOR achieves a 9.89% return, which is significantly lower than SPMD's 14.16% return. Over the past 10 years, BFOR has outperformed SPMD with an annualized return of 12.37%, while SPMD has yielded a comparatively lower 11.51% annualized return.

BFOR

1D
-0.49%
1M
2.26%
YTD
9.89%
6M
10.61%
1Y
22.04%
3Y*
19.35%
5Y*
9.98%
10Y*
12.37%

SPMD

1D
-0.08%
1M
3.86%
YTD
14.16%
6M
14.41%
1Y
25.49%
3Y*
16.15%
5Y*
8.20%
10Y*
11.51%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BFOR vs. SPMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
BFOR
ALPS Barron's 400 ETF		9.89%13.85%17.81%18.19%-15.92%30.71%17.60%21.30%-13.86%19.37%
SPMD
SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF		14.16%7.44%13.91%16.48%-13.13%24.76%13.46%25.19%-10.34%15.12%

Correlation

The correlation between BFOR and SPMD is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.94

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.96

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.97

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.95

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2013

0.92

The correlation between BFOR and SPMD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

ALPS Barron's 400 ETF

SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF

Often compared with BFOR:
BFOR vs. FFTYBFOR vs. SPYBFOR vs. VOOBFOR vs. MOATBFOR vs. SYLDBFOR vs. VTWOBFOR vs. SCHG
Often compared with SPMD:
SPMD vs. MDYSPMD vs. VOSPMD vs. SPYSPMD vs. SCHMSPMD vs. IWRSPMD vs. IMCBSPMD vs. SWMCX

Return for Risk

BFOR vs. SPMD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
BFOR
BFOR Risk / Return Rank: 4646
Overall Rank
BFOR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4242
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BFOR Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
BFOR Omega Ratio Rank: 4040
Omega Ratio Rank
BFOR Calmar Ratio Rank: 5050
Calmar Ratio Rank
BFOR Martin Ratio Rank: 5353
Martin Ratio Rank
SPMD
SPMD Risk / Return Rank: 5151
Overall Rank
SPMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4646
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SPMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 4848
Sortino Ratio Rank
SPMD Omega Ratio Rank: 4545
Omega Ratio Rank
SPMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 5757
Calmar Ratio Rank
SPMD Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

BFOR vs. SPMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Barron's 400 ETF (BFOR) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD). 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.

BFORSPMDDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

1.50

1.65

-0.15

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

2.23

2.41

-0.18

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.29

-0.03

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

2.46

2.89

-0.43

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

9.02

10.61

-1.59

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BFOR vs. SPMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BFOR Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the SPMD Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BFOR and SPMD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

BFORSPMDDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.50

1.65

-0.15

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.52

0.42

+0.10

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.61

0.55

+0.06

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.59

0.45

+0.14

Drawdowns

BFOR vs. SPMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BFOR drawdown since its inception was -41.27%, smaller than the maximum SPMD drawdown of -57.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BFOR and SPMD.

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Drawdown Indicators

BFORSPMDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-41.27%

-57.62%

+16.35%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.98%

-8.86%

-0.12%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-21.91%

-24.08%

+2.17%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.93%

-24.08%

-1.85%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-41.27%

-41.86%

+0.59%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.49%

-0.08%

-0.41%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.43%

-8.12%

+1.69%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.45%

2.41%

+0.04%

Volatility

BFOR vs. SPMD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Barron's 400 ETF (BFOR) is 3.52%, while SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD) has a volatility of 4.38%. This indicates that BFOR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

BFORSPMDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.52%

4.38%

-0.86%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.64%

11.37%

-0.73%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.80%

15.57%

-0.77%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.41%

19.70%

-0.29%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.41%

21.18%

-0.77%

BFOR vs. SPMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

BFOR has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than SPMD's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

BFOR vs. SPMD - Dividend Comparison

BFOR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.54%, less than SPMD's 1.23% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BFOR
ALPS Barron's 400 ETF		0.54%0.60%0.69%1.26%1.68%0.92%0.98%0.69%0.94%0.60%0.78%0.86%
SPMD
SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF		1.23%1.39%1.42%1.47%1.64%1.24%1.30%1.57%1.85%1.97%2.13%5.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.94, BFOR and SPMD 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.

SPMD has higher volatility (4.38%) compared to BFOR (3.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BFOR dropped -41.27% vs SPMD's -57.62%.

On 10-year performance, BFOR leads with 12.37% vs 11.51% for SPMD. On fees, SPMD is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, BFOR has been the lower-risk option at 3.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, BFOR has performed better with a 12.37% return vs 11.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SPMD is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for BFOR.

SPMD has the higher dividend yield at 1.23%, compared with 0.54% for BFOR.

BFOR tracks Barron's 400 Index, while SPMD tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for BFOR and 0.05% for SPMD.

SPMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.50), 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.

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