ESIX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

ESIX (SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESIX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 ESG Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESIX charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

ESIX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF (ESIX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

ESIX

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -1.41%
• YTD: 8.10%
• 6M: 6.77%
• 1Y: 22.18%
• 3Y*: 20.66%
• 5Y*: 12.96%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

ESIX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ESIX SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF	10.83%	1.83%	9.66%	17.51%	-13.44%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.10%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-16.51%

Correlation

The correlation between ESIX and SPY is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2022	0.78

The correlation between ESIX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (1 year) to 0.78 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ESIX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESIX	SPY
Industrials	17.2%	7.8%
Financial Services	17.0%	11.1%
Technology	16.6%	39.0%
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	9.9%
Healthcare	10.8%	8.3%
Real Estate	6.9%	1.8%
Energy	6.7%	3.1%
Basic Materials	4.4%	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	4.5%
Communication Services	2.9%	10.6%
Utilities	2.0%	2.1%

Return for Risk

ESIX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESIX

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 60
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

ESIX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF (ESIX) 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.

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.

	ESIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.79	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.45	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.33	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.51	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	11.15	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	ESIX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-55.19%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.88%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-3.22%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-9.03%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.99%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ESIX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.85%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.81%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	12.47%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	17.15%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	17.95%	—

ESIX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESIX has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ESIX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

ESIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESIX SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF	1.05%	1.64%	1.65%	1.69%	1.54%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	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 ESIX and SPY in my portfolio?

ESIX and SPY have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ESIX or SPY?

On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESIX or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for ESIX.

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

ESIX has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 1.03% for SPY.

What is the main difference between ESIX and SPY?

ESIX is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. ESIX tracks S&P SmallCap 600 ESG Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for ESIX and 0.09% for SPY.