EES vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EES is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree U.S. Small Cap Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EES returned 10.68%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EES charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

EES vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EES achieves a 12.00% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, EES has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 10.68%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

EES

• 1D: -1.53%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 12.00%
• 6M: 11.97%
• 1Y: 29.80%
• 3Y*: 15.30%
• 5Y*: 6.23%
• 10Y*: 10.68%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

EES vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund	12.00%	6.99%	9.86%	18.53%	-16.18%	34.39%	3.06%	21.68%	-10.12%	12.42%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between EES and SPY is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 26, 2007	0.78

The correlation between EES and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (3 years) to 0.78 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EES vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EES	SPY
Financial Services	21.8%	11.8%
Technology	14.2%	35.9%
Consumer Cyclical	13.4%	10.3%
Industrials	12.5%	7.8%
Healthcare	10.3%	8.4%
Energy	7.9%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	4.8%
Basic Materials	4.9%	1.8%
Real Estate	4.8%	1.9%
Communication Services	3.1%	11.3%
Utilities	1.7%	2.4%

Return for Risk

EES vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

EES

EES Risk / Return Rank: 57
EES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
EES Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
EES Omega Ratio Rank: 48
EES Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
EES Martin Ratio Rank: 62

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

EES vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund (EES) 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.

	EES	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.38	-0.66
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	3.24	-0.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.43	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.75	3.16	+0.59
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.05	14.72	-3.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EES vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EES Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EES 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EES	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	2.38	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.82	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.87	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.59	-0.25

Drawdowns

EES vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EES drawdown since its inception was -63.66%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EES and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	EES	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.66%	-55.19%	-8.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.98%	-8.88%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.15%	-18.76%	-8.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.15%	-24.50%	-2.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.52%	-33.72%	-16.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.53%	-0.70%	-0.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.37%	-9.05%	-1.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	1.91%	+0.79%

Volatility

EES vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund (EES) has a higher volatility of 4.03% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that EES'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

	EES	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.03%	2.84%	+1.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.34%	8.90%	+2.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.42%	11.83%	+5.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.53%	17.05%	+4.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.80%	17.94%	+5.86%

EES vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

EES has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

EES vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

EES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund	1.12%	1.29%	1.37%	1.18%	1.12%	1.69%	1.29%	1.31%	1.81%	0.93%	1.02%	1.38%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EES and SPY in my portfolio?

EES and SPY have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EES or SPY?

EES has higher volatility (4.03%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EES dropped -63.66% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, EES or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs 10.68% for EES. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EES or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs 10.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EES or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for EES.

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

EES has the higher dividend yield at 1.12%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between EES and SPY?

EES is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. EES tracks WisdomTree U.S. Small Cap Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for EES and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.72), 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.