FTDS vs. SPMD
FTDS (First Trust Dividend Strength ETF) and SPMD (SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds - FTDS tracks the Dividend Strength Index while SPMD tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTDS returned 10.75%/yr vs 11.51%/yr for SPMD. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTDS charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPMD.
Performance
FTDS vs. SPMD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTDS achieves a 6.54% return, which is significantly lower than SPMD's 14.16% return. Over the past 10 years, FTDS has underperformed SPMD with an annualized return of 10.75%, while SPMD has yielded a comparatively higher 11.51% annualized return.
FTDS
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- -2.16%
- YTD
- 6.54%
- 6M
- 6.72%
- 1Y
- 18.40%
- 3Y*
- 16.04%
- 5Y*
- 6.32%
- 10Y*
- 10.75%
SPMD
- 1D
- -0.08%
- 1M
- 3.86%
- YTD
- 14.16%
- 6M
- 14.41%
- 1Y
- 25.49%
- 3Y*
- 16.15%
- 5Y*
- 8.20%
- 10Y*
- 11.51%
FTDS vs. SPMD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTDS First Trust Dividend Strength ETF | 6.54% | 13.64% | 11.12% | 11.75% | -13.54% | 24.79% | 14.16% | 24.29% | -10.35% | 20.07% |
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF | 14.16% | 7.44% | 13.91% | 16.48% | -13.13% | 24.76% | 13.46% | 25.19% | -10.34% | 15.12% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTDS and SPMD is 0.72, 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 | 0.72 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.82 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.84 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2005 | 0.68 |
The correlation between FTDS and SPMD shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (all time) to 0.84 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FTDS vs. SPMD — Risk / Return Rank
FTDS
SPMD
FTDS vs. SPMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD). 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.
| FTDS | SPMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.22 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.29 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.81 | 2.89 | -0.08 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.56 | 10.61 | -3.05 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FTDS | SPMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.44 | 1.65 | -0.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.36 | 0.42 | -0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.54 | 0.55 | -0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.32 | 0.45 | -0.13 |
Drawdowns
FTDS vs. SPMD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTDS drawdown since its inception was -56.53%, roughly equal to the maximum SPMD drawdown of -57.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTDS and SPMD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTDS | SPMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -56.53% | -57.62% | +1.09% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.57% | -8.86% | +2.29% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.04% | -24.08% | +6.04% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.35% | -24.08% | +0.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.47% | -41.86% | -0.61% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.46% | -0.08% | -4.38% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.87% | -8.12% | -1.75% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.44% | 2.41% | +0.03% |
Volatility
FTDS vs. SPMD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) is 3.48%, while SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD) has a volatility of 4.38%. This indicates that FTDS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTDS | SPMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.48% | 4.38% | -0.90% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.87% | 11.37% | -2.50% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.92% | 15.57% | -2.65% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.65% | 19.70% | -2.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.14% | 21.18% | -1.04% |
FTDS vs. SPMD - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTDS has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than SPMD's 0.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTDS vs. SPMD - Dividend Comparison
FTDS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, more than SPMD's 1.23% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTDS First Trust Dividend Strength ETF | 1.66% | 1.59% | 2.05% | 2.15% | 2.31% | 0.72% | 0.99% | 1.13% | 1.14% | 0.79% | 1.24% | 0.95% |
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF | 1.23% | 1.39% | 1.42% | 1.47% | 1.64% | 1.24% | 1.30% | 1.57% | 1.85% | 1.97% | 2.13% | 5.33% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTDS and SPMD have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SPMD has higher volatility (4.38%) compared to FTDS (3.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTDS dropped -56.53% vs SPMD's -57.62%.
On 10-year performance, SPMD leads with 11.51% vs 10.75% for FTDS. On fees, SPMD is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, FTDS has been the lower-risk option at 3.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SPMD has performed better with a 11.51% return vs 10.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPMD is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FTDS.
FTDS has the higher dividend yield at 1.66%, compared with 1.23% for SPMD.
FTDS tracks Dividend Strength Index, while SPMD tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FTDS and 0.05% for SPMD.
SPMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.44), 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.
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