IQM vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IQM (Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IQM is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. IQM is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IQM returned 22.22%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IQM charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

IQM vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF (IQM) 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, IQM achieves a 40.18% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return.

IQM

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 11.94%
• YTD: 40.18%
• 6M: 38.57%
• 1Y: 75.07%
• 3Y*: 37.62%
• 5Y*: 22.22%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

IQM vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IQM Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF	40.18%	30.76%	31.03%	41.06%	-33.36%	25.18%	78.48%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	28.02%

Correlation

The correlation between IQM and SPY is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2020	0.84

The correlation between IQM and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQM vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQM	SPY
Technology	65.9%	35.9%
Industrials	19.9%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	4.1%	10.3%
Utilities	3.3%	2.4%
Energy	2.7%	3.6%
Communication Services	2.1%	11.3%
Healthcare	1.1%	8.4%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Financial Services	-	11.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

IQM vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQM

IQM Risk / Return Rank: 78
IQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
IQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
IQM Omega Ratio Rank: 71
IQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
IQM Martin Ratio Rank: 83

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

IQM vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF (IQM) 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.

	IQM	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	2.38	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	3.24	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.43	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.13	3.16	+1.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.79	14.72	+2.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQM vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQM Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQM 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

	IQM	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	2.38	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.82	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.96	0.59	+0.38

Drawdowns

IQM vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQM drawdown since its inception was -44.91%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQM and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQM	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.91%	-55.19%	+10.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.71%	-8.88%	-5.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.42%	-18.76%	-11.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.91%	-24.50%	-20.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-0.70%	+0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.25%	-9.05%	-3.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	1.91%	+2.58%

Volatility

IQM vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF (IQM) has a higher volatility of 9.20% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that IQM'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

	IQM	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.20%	2.84%	+6.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.92%	8.90%	+14.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.27%	11.83%	+16.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.91%	17.05%	+11.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.72%	17.94%	+12.78%

IQM vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQM has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQM vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

IQM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IQM Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.17%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	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 IQM and SPY in my portfolio?

IQM and SPY have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQM or SPY?

IQM has higher volatility (9.20%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQM dropped -44.91% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, IQM or SPY?

On 5-year performance, IQM leads with 22.22% vs 13.83% for SPY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQM or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, IQM has performed better with a 22.22% return vs 13.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQM or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for IQM.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.00% for IQM.

What is the main difference between IQM and SPY?

IQM is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for IQM and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 2.38), 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.