EMOT vs. SPYM

Last updated Jun 28, 2026

EMOT (First Trust S&P 500 Economic Moat ETF) and SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) are both S&P 500 funds - EMOT tracks the S&P 500 Economic Moat Index while SPYM tracks the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, EMOT returned 16.66% vs 19.92% for SPYM. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EMOT charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SPYM.

Performance

EMOT vs. SPYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust S&P 500 Economic Moat ETF (EMOT) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMOT achieves a 10.84% return, which is significantly higher than SPYM's 7.47% return.

EMOT

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 0.98%
• YTD: 10.84%
• 6M: 9.56%
• 1Y: 16.66%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPYM

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: -3.20%
• YTD: 7.47%
• 6M: 6.14%
• 1Y: 19.92%
• 3Y*: 20.25%
• 5Y*: 12.90%
• 10Y*: 15.59%

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

EMOT vs. SPYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EMOT First Trust S&P 500 Economic Moat ETF	10.84%	14.17%	5.53%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	7.47%	17.79%	8.16%

Correlation

The correlation between EMOT and SPYM is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2024	0.87

The correlation between EMOT and SPYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

EMOT vs. SPYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMOT	SPYM
Technology	41.6%	38.1%
Consumer Cyclical	18.0%	9.3%
Consumer Defensive	15.9%	4.7%
Healthcare	9.4%	8.7%
Financial Services	5.1%	11.8%
Communication Services	3.9%	9.8%
Industrials	3.6%	8.0%
Energy	2.4%	3.1%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Utilities	-	2.7%

Return for Risk

EMOT vs. SPYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMOT

EMOT Risk / Return Rank: 48
EMOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
EMOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
EMOT Omega Ratio Rank: 48
EMOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
EMOT Martin Ratio Rank: 50

SPYM

SPYM Risk / Return Rank: 55
SPYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
SPYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SPYM Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SPYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
SPYM Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

EMOT vs. SPYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust S&P 500 Economic Moat ETF (EMOT) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). 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.

	EMOT	SPYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	1.66	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	2.29	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.30	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.92	2.31	-0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.49	10.17	-2.68

EMOT vs. SPYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMOT Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is comparable to the SPYM Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMOT and SPYM, 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

EMOT vs. SPYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMOT drawdown since its inception was -16.41%, smaller than the maximum SPYM drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMOT and SPYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMOT	SPYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.41%	-54.46%	+38.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.19%	-8.90%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.72%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.48%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.18%	-3.81%	+2.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.05%	-7.14%	+5.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.35%	2.02%	+0.33%

Volatility

EMOT vs. SPYM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust S&P 500 Economic Moat ETF (EMOT) is 3.87%, while State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) has a volatility of 4.78%. This indicates that EMOT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMOT	SPYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.87%	4.78%	-0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.99%	9.80%	-0.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.62%	12.41%	-0.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.90%	16.90%	-2.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.90%	18.01%	-3.11%

EMOT vs. SPYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMOT has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYM's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMOT vs. SPYM - Dividend Comparison

EMOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, less than SPYM's 1.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMOT First Trust S&P 500 Economic Moat ETF	1.09%	0.84%	0.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	1.06%	1.13%	1.28%	1.44%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.79%	2.23%	1.75%	1.97%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMOT and SPYM in my portfolio?

EMOT and SPYM have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMOT or SPYM?

SPYM has higher volatility (4.78%) compared to EMOT (3.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMOT dropped -16.41% vs SPYM's -54.46%.

Which ETF is better, EMOT or SPYM?

On 1-year performance, SPYM leads with 19.92% vs 16.66% for EMOT. On fees, SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, EMOT has been the lower-risk option at 3.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMOT or SPYM?

Over the 1-year period, SPYM has performed better with a 19.92% return vs 16.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMOT or SPYM?

SPYM is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for EMOT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EMOT or SPYM?

EMOT has the higher dividend yield at 1.09%, compared with 1.06% for SPYM.

What is the main difference between EMOT and SPYM?

EMOT tracks S&P 500 Economic Moat Index, while SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for EMOT and 0.02% for SPYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.52), 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.