MDFGX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MDFGX (BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - MDFGX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, MDFGX returned 17.19%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MDFGX charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

MDFGX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund (MDFGX) 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, MDFGX achieves a 15.58% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, MDFGX has outperformed SPY with an annualized return of 17.19%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively lower 15.49% annualized return.

MDFGX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 8.97%
• YTD: 15.58%
• 6M: 14.91%
• 1Y: 28.44%
• 3Y*: 25.84%
• 5Y*: 12.67%
• 10Y*: 17.19%

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)

MDFGX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MDFGX BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund	15.58%	12.63%	31.58%	48.77%	-37.83%	20.78%	40.16%	31.89%	1.81%	32.37%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between MDFGX and SPY is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 1996	0.91

The correlation between MDFGX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MDFGX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

MDFGX

MDFGX Risk / Return Rank: 28
MDFGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
MDFGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
MDFGX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
MDFGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
MDFGX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

MDFGX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund (MDFGX) 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.

	MDFGX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	2.38	-0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	3.24	-0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.43	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	3.16	-1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.94	14.72	-8.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MDFGX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MDFGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MDFGX 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

	MDFGX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69	2.38	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.82	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.87	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.59	-0.13

Drawdowns

MDFGX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MDFGX drawdown since its inception was -47.99%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDFGX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	MDFGX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.99%	-55.19%	+7.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.74%	-8.88%	-7.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.43%	-18.76%	-5.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.49%	-24.50%	-17.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.49%	-33.72%	-8.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.05%	-0.70%	+0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.22%	-9.05%	-2.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.91%	1.91%	+3.00%

Volatility

MDFGX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund (MDFGX) has a higher volatility of 4.05% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that MDFGX'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

	MDFGX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.05%	2.84%	+1.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.44%	8.90%	+4.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.33%	11.83%	+5.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.45%	17.05%	+6.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.52%	17.94%	+4.58%

MDFGX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

MDFGX has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

MDFGX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

MDFGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.88%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MDFGX BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund	16.88%	19.51%	12.73%	3.59%	9.46%	12.95%	5.46%	10.67%	14.31%	12.51%	4.01%	11.22%
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 MDFGX and SPY in my portfolio?

MDFGX and SPY have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MDFGX or SPY?

MDFGX has higher volatility (4.05%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MDFGX dropped -47.99% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.69), 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.