RDVY vs. SPDG

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and SPDG (SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF) are both Dividend funds - RDVY tracks the Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index while SPDG tracks the S&P Sector-Neutral High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, RDVY returned 31.80% vs 25.12% for SPDG. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. RDVY charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPDG.

Performance

RDVY vs. SPDG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) and SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF (SPDG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RDVY achieves a 18.21% return, which is significantly higher than SPDG's 14.79% return.

RDVY

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: 2.01%
• 6M: 12.29%
• YTD: 18.21%
• 1Y: 31.80%
• 3Y*: 20.39%
• 5Y*: 13.07%
• 10Y*: 16.08%
• ALL TIME*: 13.82%

SPDG

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: -0.29%
• 6M: 6.75%
• YTD: 14.79%
• 1Y: 25.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.30%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	$79.27M	$78.43M	$84.11M
SPDG SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF	$47.62K	$41.21K	$36.93K

RDVY vs. SPDG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	18.21%	18.90%	16.41%	10.41%
SPDG SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF	14.79%	11.66%	20.22%	8.09%

Correlation

The correlation between RDVY and SPDG is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2023	0.82

The correlation between RDVY and SPDG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

RDVY vs. SPDG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RDVY	SPDG
Financial Services	38.9%	13.3%
Technology	19.4%	32.4%
Industrials	12.5%	9.0%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	9.6%
Healthcare	5.6%	10.2%
Communication Services	4.2%	8.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	5.4%
Energy	2.8%	4.1%
Utilities	1.4%	2.6%
Basic Materials	-	2.2%
Real Estate	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

RDVY vs. SPDG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 88
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 85
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
RDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 90

SPDG

SPDG Risk / Return Rank: 82
SPDG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
SPDG Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
SPDG Omega Ratio Rank: 82
SPDG Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
SPDG Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

RDVY vs. SPDG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) and SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF (SPDG). 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.

	RDVY	SPDG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.03	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	2.91	+0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.36	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.54	3.03	+0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.83	9.88	+4.95

RDVY vs. SPDG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RDVY Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the SPDG Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RDVY and SPDG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

RDVY vs. SPDG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RDVY drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, which is greater than SPDG's maximum drawdown of -15.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RDVY and SPDG.

Drawdown Indicators

	RDVY	SPDG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.60%	-15.67%	-24.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-8.34%	-0.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.11%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.32%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.60%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.29%	+2.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.95%	-2.19%	-2.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	2.55%	-0.40%

Volatility

RDVY vs. SPDG - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) and SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF (SPDG) have volatilities of 3.55% and 3.53%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RDVY	SPDG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.55%	3.53%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.40%	9.54%	+1.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.64%	12.45%	+2.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.93%	14.10%	+4.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.03%	14.10%	+6.93%

RDVY vs. SPDG - Expense Ratio Comparison

RDVY has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than SPDG's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

RDVY vs. SPDG - Dividend Comparison

RDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, less than SPDG's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.83%	1.11%	1.64%	2.09%	2.21%	1.04%	1.53%	1.55%	1.68%	1.25%	2.07%	2.14%
SPDG SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF	2.71%	2.87%	2.61%	0.90%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RDVY and SPDG in my portfolio?

RDVY and SPDG have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RDVY or SPDG?

RDVY has higher volatility (3.55%) compared to SPDG (3.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RDVY dropped -40.60% vs SPDG's -15.67%.

Which ETF is better, RDVY or SPDG?

On 1-year performance, RDVY leads with 31.80% vs 25.12% for SPDG. On fees, SPDG is cheaper at 0.05% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RDVY or SPDG?

Over the 1-year period, RDVY has performed better with a 31.80% return vs 25.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RDVY or SPDG?

SPDG is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for RDVY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RDVY or SPDG?

SPDG has the higher dividend yield at 2.71%, compared with 0.83% for RDVY.

What is the main difference between RDVY and SPDG?

RDVY tracks Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index, while SPDG tracks S&P Sector-Neutral High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for RDVY and 0.05% for SPDG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RDVY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 2.03), 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.