FESM vs. SPSM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FESM (Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap Core ETF) and SPSM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. FESM is actively managed, while SPSM is passively managed. Over the past year, FESM returned 49.21% vs 38.23% for SPSM. Their correlation of 0.95 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FESM charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPSM.

Performance

FESM vs. SPSM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap Core ETF (FESM) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FESM achieves a 26.24% return, which is significantly higher than SPSM's 23.56% return.

FESM

• 1D: 1.78%
• 1M: -0.27%
• 6M: 18.99%
• YTD: 26.24%
• 1Y: 49.21%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 27.76%

SPSM

• 1D: 1.63%
• 1M: 0.95%
• 6M: 15.76%
• YTD: 23.56%
• 1Y: 38.23%
• 3Y*: 14.54%
• 5Y*: 8.14%
• 10Y*: 10.87%
• ALL TIME*: 10.18%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap Core ETF	$40.01M	$45.20M	$35.87M
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	$90.04M	$96.96M	$95.31M

FESM vs. SPSM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap Core ETF	26.24%	17.88%	16.22%	12.09%
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	23.56%	6.11%	8.55%	12.90%

Correlation

The correlation between FESM and SPSM is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2023	0.95

The correlation between FESM and SPSM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

FESM vs. SPSM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FESM	SPSM
Healthcare	18.9%	12.4%
Technology	17.0%	15.5%
Financial Services	16.6%	17.1%
Industrials	11.7%	15.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.9%	13.2%
Basic Materials	5.1%	4.7%
Energy	4.7%	4.7%
Real Estate	4.1%	7.6%
Communication Services	2.5%	3.2%
Utilities	1.9%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	4.2%

Return for Risk

FESM vs. SPSM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FESM

FESM Risk / Return Rank: 93
FESM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
FESM Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
FESM Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FESM Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
FESM Martin Ratio Rank: 93

SPSM

SPSM Risk / Return Rank: 90
SPSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
SPSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SPSM Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SPSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
SPSM Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FESM vs. SPSM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap Core ETF (FESM) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM). 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.

	FESM	SPSM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.58	2.23	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	3.23	+0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.39	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.86	4.40	+0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.17	15.10	+2.08

FESM vs. SPSM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FESM Sharpe Ratio is 2.58, which is comparable to the SPSM Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FESM and SPSM, 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

FESM vs. SPSM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FESM drawdown since its inception was -26.93%, smaller than the maximum SPSM drawdown of -42.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FESM and SPSM.

Drawdown Indicators

	FESM	SPSM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.93%	-42.89%	+15.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.18%	-8.72%	-1.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-27.94%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.94%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.72%	-0.31%	-1.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.59%	-7.84%	+3.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.87%	2.54%	+0.33%

Volatility

FESM vs. SPSM - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap Core ETF (FESM) has a higher volatility of 4.32% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) at 3.75%. This indicates that FESM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPSM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FESM	SPSM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.32%	3.75%	+0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.09%	11.70%	+2.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.24%	17.24%	+2.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.07%	21.29%	-0.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.07%	22.95%	-1.88%

FESM vs. SPSM - Expense Ratio Comparison

FESM has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than SPSM's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

FESM vs. SPSM - Dividend Comparison

FESM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.72%, less than SPSM's 1.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap Core ETF	0.72%	0.82%	1.08%	0.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	1.37%	1.62%	1.85%	1.61%	1.38%	1.40%	1.34%	1.58%	1.82%	1.51%	1.49%	2.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FESM and SPSM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, FESM and SPSM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FESM or SPSM?

FESM has higher volatility (4.32%) compared to SPSM (3.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FESM dropped -26.93% vs SPSM's -42.89%.

Which ETF is better, FESM or SPSM?

On 1-year performance, FESM leads with 49.21% vs 38.23% for SPSM. On fees, SPSM is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SPSM has been the lower-risk option at 3.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FESM or SPSM?

Over the 1-year period, FESM has performed better with a 49.21% return vs 38.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FESM or SPSM?

SPSM is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for FESM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FESM or SPSM?

SPSM has the higher dividend yield at 1.37%, compared with 0.72% for FESM.

What is the main difference between FESM and SPSM?

They also come from different issuers: Fidelity and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for FESM and 0.03% for SPSM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FESM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.58 vs 2.23), 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.