RAFE vs. SPTM
RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) and SPTM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - RAFE tracks the RAFI ESG US Index while SPTM tracks the S&P Composite 1500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RAFE returned 11.34%/yr vs 12.72%/yr for SPTM. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RAFE charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPTM.
Performance
RAFE vs. SPTM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RAFE achieves a 13.45% return, which is significantly higher than SPTM's 8.72% return.
RAFE
- 1D
- -0.39%
- 1M
- 2.23%
- YTD
- 13.45%
- 6M
- 12.91%
- 1Y
- 29.87%
- 3Y*
- 19.07%
- 5Y*
- 11.34%
- 10Y*
- —
SPTM
- 1D
- -1.32%
- 1M
- -1.02%
- YTD
- 8.72%
- 6M
- 7.68%
- 1Y
- 23.97%
- 3Y*
- 20.38%
- 5Y*
- 12.72%
- 10Y*
- 15.36%
RAFE vs. SPTM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF | 13.45% | 17.60% | 13.81% | 18.80% | -13.76% | 30.16% | 5.29% | 0.43% |
SPTM SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF | 8.72% | 16.93% | 23.87% | 25.55% | -17.75% | 28.58% | 17.94% | 1.17% |
Correlation
The correlation between RAFE and SPTM is 0.85, 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 | 0.85 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.91 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2019 | 0.89 |
The correlation between RAFE and SPTM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
RAFE vs. SPTM — Risk / Return Rank
RAFE
SPTM
RAFE vs. SPTM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| RAFE | SPTM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.68 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.46 | 1.35 | +0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.02 | 2.77 | +1.25 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.57 | 12.49 | +3.08 |
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Drawdowns
RAFE vs. SPTM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RAFE drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, smaller than the maximum SPTM drawdown of -54.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RAFE and SPTM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RAFE | SPTM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.74% | -54.80% | +19.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.46% | -8.68% | +1.22% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.36% | -18.87% | +2.51% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.28% | -24.14% | -0.14% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -34.66% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.25% | -2.80% | +1.55% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.17% | -9.03% | +2.86% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.92% | 1.92% | 0.00% |
Volatility
RAFE vs. SPTM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) is 3.88%, while SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) has a volatility of 4.79%. This indicates that RAFE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPTM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RAFE | SPTM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.88% | 4.79% | -0.91% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.71% | 9.82% | -1.11% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.54% | 12.51% | -0.97% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.10% | 16.96% | -1.86% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.40% | 18.04% | +1.36% |
RAFE vs. SPTM - Expense Ratio Comparison
RAFE has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than SPTM's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
RAFE vs. SPTM - Dividend Comparison
RAFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, more than SPTM's 1.08% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF | 1.50% | 1.67% | 1.79% | 1.81% | 2.22% | 1.42% | 2.36% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SPTM SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF | 1.08% | 1.13% | 1.28% | 1.44% | 1.69% | 1.25% | 1.56% | 1.72% | 1.90% | 1.66% | 1.91% | 1.92% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RAFE and SPTM have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SPTM has higher volatility (4.79%) compared to RAFE (3.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RAFE dropped -35.74% vs SPTM's -54.80%.
On 5-year performance, SPTM leads with 12.72% vs 11.34% for RAFE. On fees, SPTM is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, RAFE has been the lower-risk option at 3.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, SPTM has performed better with a 12.72% return vs 11.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPTM is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for RAFE.
RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.50%, compared with 1.08% for SPTM.
RAFE tracks RAFI ESG US Index, while SPTM tracks S&P Composite 1500 Index. They also come from different issuers: PIMCO and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for RAFE and 0.03% for SPTM.
RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 1.93), 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.
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