LST vs. SPMD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LST (Leuthold Select Industries ETF) and SPMD (SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. LST is actively managed, while SPMD is passively managed. Over the past year, LST returned 34.83% vs 25.49% for SPMD. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LST charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPMD.

Performance

LST vs. SPMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LST achieves a 16.81% return, which is significantly higher than SPMD's 14.16% return.

LST

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 7.41%
• YTD: 16.81%
• 6M: 18.46%
• 1Y: 34.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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%

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

LST vs. SPMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
LST Leuthold Select Industries ETF	16.81%	15.64%
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF	14.16%	1.78%

Correlation

The correlation between LST and SPMD is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2025	0.84

The correlation between LST and SPMD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LST vs. SPMD — Risk / Return Rank

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

LST

LST Risk / Return Rank: 73
LST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
LST Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
LST Omega Ratio Rank: 73
LST Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
LST Martin Ratio Rank: 72

SPMD

SPMD Risk / Return Rank: 51
SPMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
SPMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SPMD Omega Ratio Rank: 45
SPMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
SPMD Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

LST vs. SPMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) 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.

	LST	SPMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	1.65	+0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.42	2.41	+1.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.29	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.23	2.89	+0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.38	10.61	+2.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LST vs. SPMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LST Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is higher than the SPMD Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LST and SPMD, 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

	LST	SPMD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	1.65	+0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.55	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.38	0.45	+0.93

Drawdowns

LST vs. SPMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LST drawdown since its inception was -19.47%, smaller than the maximum SPMD drawdown of -57.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LST and SPMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	LST	SPMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.47%	-57.62%	+38.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.85%	-8.86%	-1.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-24.08%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.08%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-0.08%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.92%	-8.12%	+5.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	2.41%	+0.20%

Volatility

LST vs. SPMD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) is 4.11%, while SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD) has a volatility of 4.38%. This indicates that LST 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.

Volatility by Period

	LST	SPMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.11%	4.38%	-0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.72%	11.37%	+0.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.33%	15.57%	-1.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.93%	19.70%	-1.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.93%	21.18%	-3.25%

LST vs. SPMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

LST has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than SPMD's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

LST vs. SPMD - Dividend Comparison

LST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%, less than SPMD's 1.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LST Leuthold Select Industries ETF	1.15%	1.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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

Can I hold both LST and SPMD in my portfolio?

LST and SPMD have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LST or SPMD?

SPMD has higher volatility (4.38%) compared to LST (4.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LST dropped -19.47% vs SPMD's -57.62%.

Which ETF is better, LST or SPMD?

On 1-year performance, LST leads with 34.83% vs 25.49% for SPMD. On fees, SPMD is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, LST has been the lower-risk option at 4.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LST or SPMD?

Over the 1-year period, LST has performed better with a 34.83% return vs 25.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LST or SPMD?

SPMD is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for LST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LST or SPMD?

SPMD has the higher dividend yield at 1.23%, compared with 1.15% for LST.

What is the main difference between LST and SPMD?

They also come from different issuers: Leuthold Group and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for LST and 0.05% for SPMD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.65), 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.