GMOM vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GMOM (Cambria Global Momentum ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GMOM is a Momentum fund actively managed by Cambria, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. GMOM is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GMOM returned 7.75%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for SPY. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GMOM charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

GMOM vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cambria Global Momentum ETF (GMOM) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with GMOM having a 12.20% return and SPY slightly lower at 11.69%. Over the past 10 years, GMOM has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 7.75%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.57% annualized return.

GMOM

• 1D: 0.97%
• 1M: 1.06%
• YTD: 12.20%
• 6M: 14.74%
• 1Y: 30.49%
• 3Y*: 13.96%
• 5Y*: 7.23%
• 10Y*: 7.75%

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

GMOM vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GMOM Cambria Global Momentum ETF	12.20%	20.63%	6.75%	0.65%	-2.82%	19.13%	2.42%	8.24%	-9.61%	20.67%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between GMOM and SPY is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2014	0.58

The correlation between GMOM and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

GMOM vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GMOM	SPY
Energy	20.7%	3.6%
Industrials	16.1%	7.8%
Basic Materials	15.6%	1.8%
Financial Services	12.0%	11.8%
Utilities	11.0%	2.4%
Technology	8.4%	35.9%
Consumer Cyclical	5.4%	10.3%
Communication Services	4.1%	11.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	4.8%
Real Estate	2.2%	1.9%
Healthcare	1.1%	8.4%

Return for Risk

GMOM vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

GMOM

GMOM Risk / Return Rank: 66
GMOM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
GMOM Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
GMOM Omega Ratio Rank: 67
GMOM Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
GMOM Martin Ratio Rank: 68

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

GMOM vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cambria Global Momentum ETF (GMOM) 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.

	GMOM	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.25	2.52	-0.27
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.97	3.42	-0.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.46	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	3.42	-0.14
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.86	15.93	-3.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GMOM vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GMOM Sharpe Ratio is 2.25, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GMOM 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

	GMOM	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.25	2.52	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.84	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.87	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.59	-0.09

Drawdowns

GMOM vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GMOM drawdown since its inception was -25.03%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GMOM and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	GMOM	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.03%	-55.19%	+30.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.57%	-8.88%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.73%	-18.76%	+5.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.16%	-24.50%	+5.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.03%	-33.72%	+8.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.52%	0.00%	-1.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.82%	-9.05%	+1.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.44%	1.91%	+0.53%

Volatility

GMOM vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Cambria Global Momentum ETF (GMOM) has a higher volatility of 3.26% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that GMOM'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

	GMOM	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.26%	2.75%	+0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.17%	8.89%	+2.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.61%	11.81%	+1.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.41%	17.05%	-2.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.83%	17.94%	-5.11%

GMOM vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

GMOM has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

GMOM vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

GMOM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.57%, more than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GMOM Cambria Global Momentum ETF	1.57%	3.01%	2.16%	3.63%	2.52%	3.42%	1.24%	2.60%	1.90%	2.05%	1.77%	1.88%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	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 GMOM and SPY in my portfolio?

GMOM and SPY have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GMOM or SPY?

GMOM has higher volatility (3.26%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GMOM dropped -25.03% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, GMOM or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.57% vs 7.75% for GMOM. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GMOM or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.57% return vs 7.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GMOM or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for GMOM.

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

GMOM has the higher dividend yield at 1.57%, compared with 0.97% for SPY.

What is the main difference between GMOM and SPY?

GMOM is categorized as Momentum, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Cambria and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for GMOM and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.25), 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.