MORN vs. SPMD

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

MORN (Morningstar, Inc.) is a stock, while SPMD (SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF) is Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Over the past 10 years, MORN returned 8.97%/yr vs 11.39%/yr for SPMD. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

MORN vs. SPMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morningstar, Inc. (MORN) 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, MORN achieves a -14.92% return, which is significantly lower than SPMD's 14.54% return. Over the past 10 years, MORN has underperformed SPMD with an annualized return of 8.97%, while SPMD has yielded a comparatively higher 11.39% annualized return.

MORN

• 1D: 1.76%
• 1M: 10.42%
• YTD: -14.92%
• 6M: -14.78%
• 1Y: -40.17%
• 3Y*: -2.94%
• 5Y*: -4.07%
• 10Y*: 8.97%

SPMD

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 2.89%
• YTD: 14.54%
• 6M: 14.24%
• 1Y: 26.21%
• 3Y*: 16.67%
• 5Y*: 8.28%
• 10Y*: 11.39%

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

MORN vs. SPMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MORN Morningstar, Inc.	-14.92%	-35.05%	18.29%	33.10%	-36.31%	48.23%	54.54%	38.93%	14.34%	33.38%
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF	14.54%	7.44%	13.91%	16.48%	-13.13%	24.76%	13.46%	25.19%	-10.34%	15.12%

Correlation

The correlation between MORN and SPMD is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2005	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between MORN and SPMD has dropped to 0.19 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

MORN vs. SPMD — Risk / Return Rank

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

MORN

MORN Risk / Return Rank: 7
MORN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
MORN Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
MORN Omega Ratio Rank: 5
MORN Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
MORN Martin Ratio Rank: 14

SPMD

SPMD Risk / Return Rank: 55
SPMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
SPMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SPMD Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SPMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPMD Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

MORN vs. SPMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morningstar, Inc. (MORN) 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.

	MORN	SPMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.18	1.70	-2.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.71	2.47	-4.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.79	1.30	-0.52
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.80	2.97	-3.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.24	10.91	-12.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MORN vs. SPMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MORN Sharpe Ratio is -1.18, which is lower than the SPMD Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MORN 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

	MORN	SPMD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.18	1.70	-2.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.13	0.42	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32	0.54	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.45	-0.06

Drawdowns

MORN vs. SPMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MORN drawdown since its inception was -67.92%, which is greater than SPMD's maximum drawdown of -57.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MORN and SPMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	MORN	SPMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.92%	-57.62%	-10.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-50.65%	-8.86%	-41.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-56.70%	-24.08%	-32.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.70%	-24.08%	-32.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-56.70%	-41.86%	-14.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-48.14%	0.00%	-48.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.33%	-8.12%	-10.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	32.43%	2.41%	+30.02%

Volatility

MORN vs. SPMD - Volatility Comparison

Morningstar, Inc. (MORN) has a higher volatility of 14.73% compared to SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD) at 4.23%. This indicates that MORN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MORN	SPMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.73%	4.23%	+10.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.50%	11.36%	+19.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.26%	15.53%	+18.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.67%	19.70%	+10.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.73%	21.18%	+6.55%

Dividends

MORN vs. SPMD - Dividend Comparison

MORN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than SPMD's 1.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MORN Morningstar, Inc.	1.04%	0.84%	0.48%	0.52%	0.66%	0.28%	0.65%	0.74%	0.91%	0.95%	1.20%	0.95%
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF	1.22%	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 MORN and SPMD in my portfolio?

MORN and SPMD have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MORN or SPMD?

MORN has higher volatility (14.73%) compared to SPMD (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MORN dropped -67.92% vs SPMD's -57.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs -1.18), 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.