HSMV vs. SPSM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

HSMV (First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF) and SPSM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. HSMV is actively managed, while SPSM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HSMV returned 4.96%/yr vs 7.48%/yr for SPSM. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. HSMV charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPSM.

Performance

HSMV vs. SPSM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF (HSMV) 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, HSMV achieves a 10.55% return, which is significantly lower than SPSM's 21.58% return.

HSMV

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.43%
• 6M: 7.25%
• YTD: 10.55%
• 1Y: 13.34%
• 3Y*: 9.06%
• 5Y*: 4.96%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.73%

SPSM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.67%
• 6M: 15.19%
• YTD: 21.58%
• 1Y: 36.02%
• 3Y*: 13.49%
• 5Y*: 7.48%
• 10Y*: 10.94%
• ALL TIME*: 10.05%

*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)
HSMV First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF	$628.29K	$333.01K	$191.20K
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	$90.54M	$95.75M	$94.53M

HSMV vs. SPSM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HSMV First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF	10.55%	1.57%	13.17%	5.01%	-9.44%	23.72%	34.70%
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	21.58%	6.11%	8.55%	16.11%	-16.12%	26.67%	69.18%

Correlation

The correlation between HSMV and SPSM is 0.65, 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.	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 7, 2020	0.88

Over the past year, the correlation between HSMV and SPSM has dropped to 0.65 - well below their long-term average of 0.88, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

HSMV vs. SPSM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HSMV	SPSM
Real Estate	23.7%	7.6%
Financial Services	17.5%	17.1%
Industrials	14.9%	15.6%
Utilities	11.5%	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	13.2%
Consumer Defensive	6.7%	4.2%
Basic Materials	5.8%	4.7%
Healthcare	4.7%	12.4%
Energy	2.8%	4.7%
Communication Services	2.2%	3.2%
Technology	1.9%	15.5%

Return for Risk

HSMV vs. SPSM — Risk / Return Rank

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

HSMV

HSMV Risk / Return Rank: 48
HSMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
HSMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
HSMV Omega Ratio Rank: 45
HSMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
HSMV Martin Ratio Rank: 44

SPSM

SPSM Risk / Return Rank: 86
SPSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
SPSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
SPSM Omega Ratio Rank: 82
SPSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SPSM Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

HSMV vs. SPSM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF (HSMV) 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.

	HSMV	SPSM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	1.97	-0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	2.87	-0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.34	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.66	3.89	-2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.02	13.32	-8.31

HSMV vs. SPSM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HSMV Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is lower than the SPSM Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HSMV 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

HSMV vs. SPSM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HSMV drawdown since its inception was -19.16%, smaller than the maximum SPSM drawdown of -42.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HSMV and SPSM.

Drawdown Indicators

	HSMV	SPSM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.16%	-42.89%	+23.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.83%	-8.72%	+0.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.45%	-27.94%	+12.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.16%	-27.94%	+8.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.74%	-1.91%	+0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.50%	-7.84%	+2.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.59%	2.54%	+0.05%

Volatility

HSMV vs. SPSM - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF (HSMV) has a higher volatility of 3.77% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) at 3.45%. This indicates that HSMV'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

	HSMV	SPSM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.77%	3.45%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.07%	11.63%	-3.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.73%	17.29%	-6.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.97%	21.27%	-6.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.97%	22.94%	-6.97%

HSMV vs. SPSM - Expense Ratio Comparison

HSMV has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than SPSM's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

HSMV vs. SPSM - Dividend Comparison

HSMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.86%, more than SPSM's 1.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HSMV First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF	1.86%	2.01%	1.43%	1.43%	1.26%	0.76%	0.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	1.39%	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 HSMV and SPSM in my portfolio?

HSMV and SPSM have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HSMV or SPSM?

HSMV has higher volatility (3.77%) compared to SPSM (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HSMV dropped -19.16% vs SPSM's -42.89%.

Which ETF is better, HSMV or SPSM?

On 5-year performance, SPSM leads with 7.48% vs 4.96% for HSMV. On fees, SPSM is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SPSM has been the lower-risk option at 3.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HSMV or SPSM?

Over the 5-year period, SPSM has performed better with a 7.48% return vs 4.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HSMV or SPSM?

SPSM is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for HSMV.

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

HSMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.86%, compared with 1.39% for SPSM.

What is the main difference between HSMV and SPSM?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for HSMV and 0.03% for SPSM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPSM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.21), 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.