ESIX vs. SPYM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESIX (SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF) and SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio 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 SPYM is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ESIX returned 14.39%/yr vs 22.46%/yr for SPYM. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESIX charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SPYM.

Performance

ESIX vs. SPYM - 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 Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ESIX having a 10.83% return and SPYM slightly higher at 10.98%.

ESIX

• 1D: -1.16%
• 1M: -0.56%
• YTD: 10.83%
• 6M: 9.86%
• 1Y: 22.21%
• 3Y*: 14.39%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPYM

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: 5.06%
• YTD: 10.98%
• 6M: 10.98%
• 1Y: 28.09%
• 3Y*: 22.46%
• 5Y*: 13.91%
• 10Y*: 15.62%

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

ESIX vs. SPYM - 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%	-14.62%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	10.98%	17.79%	25.00%	26.24%	-17.22%

Correlation

The correlation between ESIX and SPYM is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2022	0.78

The correlation between ESIX and SPYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESIX vs. SPYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESIX	SPYM
Industrials	17.2%	7.6%
Financial Services	17.0%	11.1%
Technology	16.6%	38.5%
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	9.9%
Healthcare	10.8%	8.4%
Real Estate	6.9%	1.8%
Energy	6.7%	3.2%
Basic Materials	4.4%	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	4.6%
Communication Services	2.9%	10.6%
Utilities	2.0%	2.5%

Return for Risk

ESIX vs. SPYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESIX

ESIX Risk / Return Rank: 37
ESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
ESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
ESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
ESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
ESIX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

SPYM

SPYM Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
SPYM Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SPYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPYM Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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. SPYM - 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 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.

	ESIX	SPYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	2.39	-1.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	3.27	-1.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.44	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.08	3.17	-1.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.57	14.76	-8.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESIX vs. SPYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is lower than the SPYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESIX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ESIX	SPYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.20	2.39	-1.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.62	-0.38

Drawdowns

ESIX vs. SPYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESIX drawdown since its inception was -27.56%, smaller than the maximum SPYM drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESIX and SPYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESIX	SPYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.56%	-54.46%	+26.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.18%	-8.90%	-1.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.56%	-18.72%	-8.84%
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	-2.42%	-0.66%	-1.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.59%	-7.15%	-1.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.22%	1.91%	+1.31%

Volatility

ESIX vs. SPYM - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF (ESIX) has a higher volatility of 4.19% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) at 2.83%. This indicates that ESIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESIX	SPYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.19%	2.83%	+1.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.40%	8.90%	+3.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.99%	11.80%	+6.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.53%	16.80%	+4.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.53%	18.00%	+3.53%

ESIX vs. SPYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESIX has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYM's 0.02% 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. SPYM - Dividend Comparison

ESIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, more than SPYM's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESIX SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF	1.45%	1.64%	1.65%	1.69%	1.54%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	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 ESIX and SPYM in my portfolio?

ESIX and SPYM have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESIX or SPYM?

ESIX has higher volatility (4.19%) compared to SPYM (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESIX dropped -27.56% vs SPYM's -54.46%.

Which ETF is better, ESIX or SPYM?

On 3-year performance, SPYM leads with 22.46% vs 14.39% for ESIX. On fees, SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, SPYM has been the lower-risk option at 2.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESIX or SPYM?

Over the 3-year period, SPYM has performed better with a 22.46% return vs 14.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESIX or SPYM?

SPYM is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for ESIX.

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

ESIX has the higher dividend yield at 1.45%, compared with 1.00% for SPYM.

What is the main difference between ESIX and SPYM?

ESIX is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while SPYM is S&P 500. ESIX tracks S&P SmallCap 600 ESG Index, while SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for ESIX and 0.02% for SPYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.20), 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.