REM vs. SPY
REM (iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REM is a REIT fund tracking the FTSE NAREIT All Mortgage Capped Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, REM returned 2.86%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. REM charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.
Performance
REM vs. SPY - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, REM achieves a -0.15% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 8.15% return. Over the past 10 years, REM has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 2.86%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.53% annualized return.
REM
- 1D
- 0.94%
- 1M
- 1.19%
- YTD
- -0.15%
- 6M
- 0.03%
- 1Y
- 11.49%
- 3Y*
- 8.08%
- 5Y*
- -2.46%
- 10Y*
- 2.86%
SPY
- 1D
- -1.45%
- 1M
- -1.36%
- YTD
- 8.15%
- 6M
- 7.20%
- 1Y
- 23.59%
- 3Y*
- 20.68%
- 5Y*
- 13.05%
- 10Y*
- 15.53%
REM vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
REM iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF | -0.15% | 13.30% | -1.00% | 14.43% | -27.56% | 16.14% | -19.99% | 21.34% | -3.09% | 18.43% |
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 8.15% | 17.72% | 24.89% | 26.18% | -18.18% | 28.73% | 18.33% | 31.22% | -4.57% | 21.71% |
Correlation
The correlation between REM and SPY is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.53 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2007 | 0.60 |
The correlation between REM and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (1 year) to 0.63 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
REM vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank
REM
SPY
REM vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF (REM) 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.
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.
| REM | SPY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.55 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.34 | -0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.81 | 2.67 | -1.86 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.18 | 11.92 | -9.74 |
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Drawdowns
REM vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum REM drawdown since its inception was -74.73%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REM and SPY.
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Drawdown Indicators
| REM | SPY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -74.73% | -55.19% | -19.54% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.25% | -8.88% | -5.37% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.91% | -18.76% | -3.15% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.31% | -24.50% | -18.81% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -68.52% | -33.72% | -34.80% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -22.34% | -3.17% | -19.17% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -38.30% | -9.04% | -29.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.29% | 1.98% | +3.31% |
Volatility
REM vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison
iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF (REM) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 4.80% and 4.87%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| REM | SPY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.80% | 4.87% | -0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.38% | 9.85% | +3.53% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.01% | 12.50% | +4.51% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.57% | 17.15% | +6.42% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 28.31% | 17.95% | +10.36% |
REM vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison
REM has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.
Dividends
REM vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison
REM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.02%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
REM iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF | 9.02% | 8.70% | 9.61% | 9.46% | 11.13% | 7.29% | 7.72% | 8.16% | 10.00% | 9.97% | 10.03% | 11.99% |
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 1.03% | 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
REM and SPY have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SPY has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to REM (4.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REM dropped -74.73% vs SPY's -55.19%.
On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.53% vs 2.86% for REM. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.53% return vs 2.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for REM.
REM has the higher dividend yield at 9.02%, compared with 1.03% for SPY.
REM is categorized as REIT, while SPY is S&P 500. REM tracks FTSE NAREIT All Mortgage Capped Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for REM and 0.09% for SPY.
SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 0.68), 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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