FRDM vs. SPY

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FRDM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FRDM returned 16.95%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for SPY. Their 0.69 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FRDM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

FRDM vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) 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, FRDM achieves a 28.77% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 11.70% return.

FRDM

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: -4.38%
• 6M: 13.38%
• YTD: 28.77%
• 1Y: 66.33%
• 3Y*: 30.40%
• 5Y*: 16.95%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.96%

SPY

• 1D: 1.42%
• 1M: 1.73%
• 6M: 9.53%
• YTD: 11.70%
• 1Y: 23.22%
• 3Y*: 20.74%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.09%
• ALL TIME*: 10.83%

*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)
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	$21.61M	$20.26M	$24.83M
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	$38.19B	$36.17B	$39.59B

FRDM vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	28.77%	61.27%	1.70%	22.77%	-14.45%	6.13%	16.90%	12.23%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.70%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	14.31%

Correlation

The correlation between FRDM and SPY is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2019	0.69

The correlation between FRDM and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

FRDM vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FRDM	SPY
Financial Services	15.3%	12.5%
Technology	8.5%	36.9%
Consumer Cyclical	3.6%	8.9%
Basic Materials	3.4%	1.9%
Real Estate	2.3%	2.0%
Energy	1.7%	3.4%
Utilities	1.2%	2.6%
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	4.8%
Industrials	0.3%	7.6%
Communication Services	0.3%	9.7%
Healthcare	0.1%	9.4%

Return for Risk

FRDM vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

FRDM

FRDM Risk / Return Rank: 85
FRDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FRDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
FRDM Omega Ratio Rank: 85
FRDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
FRDM Martin Ratio Rank: 83

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 78
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

FRDM vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) 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.

	FRDM	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	1.82	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	2.50	+0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.32	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.47	2.62	+0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.41	11.20	+0.21

FRDM vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FRDM Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FRDM 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.

Drawdowns

FRDM vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FRDM drawdown since its inception was -40.49%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRDM and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FRDM	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.49%	-55.19%	+14.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.24%	-8.88%	-10.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.24%	-18.76%	-0.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.25%	-24.50%	-4.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.71%	0.00%	-13.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.13%	-9.01%	+1.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.83%	2.08%	+3.75%

Volatility

FRDM vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a higher volatility of 12.19% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 3.84%. This indicates that FRDM'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

	FRDM	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.19%	3.84%	+8.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.38%	10.23%	+18.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.71%	12.87%	+17.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.39%	17.19%	+5.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.62%	17.96%	+5.66%

FRDM vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FRDM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FRDM vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

FRDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.68%, more than SPY's 0.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	1.68%	2.26%	2.53%	2.66%	2.72%	2.17%	1.11%	1.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.99%	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 FRDM and SPY in my portfolio?

FRDM and SPY have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FRDM or SPY?

FRDM has higher volatility (12.19%) compared to SPY (3.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FRDM dropped -40.49% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, FRDM or SPY?

On 5-year performance, FRDM leads with 16.95% vs 13.05% for SPY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 3.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FRDM or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, FRDM has performed better with a 16.95% return vs 13.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FRDM or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for FRDM.

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

FRDM has the higher dividend yield at 1.68%, compared with 0.99% for SPY.

What is the main difference between FRDM and SPY?

FRDM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. FRDM tracks Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Freedom Funds and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for FRDM and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FRDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.82), 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.