FDIV vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FDIV (MarketDesk Focused U.S. Dividend ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FDIV is a Dividend fund actively managed by MarketDesk, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. FDIV is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDIV returned -2.13%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FDIV charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

FDIV vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MarketDesk Focused U.S. Dividend ETF (FDIV) 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, FDIV achieves a 0.72% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, FDIV has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of -2.13%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

FDIV

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: -0.84%
• YTD: 0.72%
• 6M: 1.52%
• 1Y: 7.68%
• 3Y*: -12.10%
• 5Y*: -8.67%
• 10Y*: -2.13%

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)

FDIV vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDIV MarketDesk Focused U.S. Dividend ETF	0.72%	2.95%	-37.35%	6.78%	-9.97%	10.20%	-2.84%	15.78%	-5.04%	6.19%
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 FDIV and SPY is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2014	0.47

The correlation between FDIV and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.47 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

FDIV vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDIV	SPY
Industrials	24.9%	7.8%
Financial Services	20.0%	11.8%
Healthcare	16.2%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	11.0%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	9.0%	4.8%
Technology	8.9%	35.9%
Utilities	4.2%	2.4%
Basic Materials	4.0%	1.8%
Energy	3.0%	3.6%
Communication Services	3.0%	11.3%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

FDIV vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDIV

FDIV Risk / Return Rank: 19
FDIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
FDIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
FDIV Omega Ratio Rank: 17
FDIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
FDIV Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

FDIV vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MarketDesk Focused U.S. Dividend ETF (FDIV) 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.

	FDIV	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.61	2.38	-1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.02	3.24	-2.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.43	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.96	3.16	-2.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.56	14.72	-12.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDIV vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDIV Sharpe Ratio is 0.61, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDIV 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

	FDIV	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.61	2.38	-1.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.42	0.82	-1.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.12	0.87	-0.99
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.08	0.59	-0.66

Drawdowns

FDIV vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDIV drawdown since its inception was -47.90%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDIV and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDIV	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.90%	-55.19%	+7.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.01%	-8.88%	+0.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-45.64%	-18.76%	-26.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.90%	-24.50%	-23.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.90%	-33.72%	-14.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-38.05%	-0.70%	-37.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.15%	-9.05%	-2.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.01%	1.91%	+1.10%

Volatility

FDIV vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

MarketDesk Focused U.S. Dividend ETF (FDIV) has a higher volatility of 2.99% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that FDIV'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

	FDIV	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	2.84%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.57%	8.90%	-0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.78%	11.83%	+0.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.81%	17.05%	+3.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.54%	17.94%	-0.40%

FDIV vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDIV has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDIV vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

FDIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.89%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDIV MarketDesk Focused U.S. Dividend ETF	2.89%	2.95%	4.12%	4.63%	3.81%	3.79%	4.17%	3.93%	5.13%	3.81%	3.84%	4.13%
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 FDIV and SPY in my portfolio?

FDIV and SPY have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDIV or SPY?

FDIV has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDIV dropped -47.90% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, FDIV or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs -2.13% for FDIV. 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, FDIV or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs -2.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDIV or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for FDIV.

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

FDIV has the higher dividend yield at 2.89%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between FDIV and SPY?

FDIV is categorized as Dividend, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: MarketDesk and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for FDIV and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.61), 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.