MDY vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MDY (SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MDY is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MDY returned 11.05%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MDY charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

MDY vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF (MDY) 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, MDY achieves a 14.02% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, MDY has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 11.05%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.57% annualized return.

MDY

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 3.28%
• YTD: 14.02%
• 6M: 15.05%
• 1Y: 26.67%
• 3Y*: 15.81%
• 5Y*: 8.07%
• 10Y*: 11.05%

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)

MDY vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MDY SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF	14.02%	7.19%	13.64%	16.07%	-13.28%	24.53%	13.50%	25.78%	-11.29%	15.93%
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 MDY and SPY is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 1995	0.85

The correlation between MDY and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

MDY vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MDY	SPY
Industrials	25.1%	7.8%
Technology	15.4%	35.9%
Financial Services	13.9%	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.8%	10.3%
Healthcare	8.7%	8.4%
Real Estate	7.7%	1.9%
Energy	5.6%	3.6%
Basic Materials	4.8%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	4.8%
Utilities	3.1%	2.4%
Communication Services	1.0%	11.3%

Return for Risk

MDY vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

MDY

MDY Risk / Return Rank: 54
MDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
MDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
MDY Omega Ratio Rank: 48
MDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
MDY Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

MDY vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF (MDY) 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.

	MDY	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	2.52	-0.79
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.52	3.42	-0.89
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.46	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.01	3.42	-0.41
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.99	15.93	-4.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MDY vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MDY Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MDY 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

	MDY	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.73	2.52	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.84	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.87	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.59	-0.06

Drawdowns

MDY vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MDY drawdown since its inception was -55.33%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDY and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	MDY	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.33%	-55.19%	-0.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.82%	-8.88%	+0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.03%	-18.76%	-5.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.03%	-24.50%	+0.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.22%	-33.72%	-8.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.03%	-9.05%	+2.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	1.91%	+0.51%

Volatility

MDY vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF (MDY) has a higher volatility of 4.40% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that MDY'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

	MDY	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.40%	2.75%	+1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.30%	8.89%	+2.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.48%	11.81%	+3.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.77%	17.05%	+2.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.19%	17.94%	+3.25%

MDY vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

MDY has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

MDY vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

MDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, more than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MDY SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF	1.04%	1.15%	1.18%	1.21%	1.37%	0.96%	1.12%	1.34%	1.39%	1.18%	1.31%	1.35%
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 MDY and SPY in my portfolio?

MDY and SPY have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MDY or SPY?

MDY has higher volatility (4.40%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MDY dropped -55.33% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, MDY or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.57% vs 11.05% for MDY. 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, MDY or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.57% return vs 11.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MDY or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for MDY.

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

MDY has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 0.97% for SPY.

What is the main difference between MDY and SPY?

MDY is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. MDY tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for MDY and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.73), 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.