RND vs. SPXM
RND (First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF) and SPXM (Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. RND is passively managed, while SPXM is actively managed. Over the past year, RND returned 17.39% vs 8.72% for SPXM. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RND charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for SPXM.
Performance
RND vs. SPXM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
RND
- 1D
- -0.85%
- 1M
- 1.01%
- 6M
- 5.91%
- YTD
- 5.28%
- 1Y
- 17.39%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
SPXM
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.00%
- 6M
- 0.00%
- YTD
- 0.00%
- 1Y
- 8.72%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
RND vs. SPXM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
RND First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF | 5.28% | 13.39% |
SPXM Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF | 0.00% | 9.27% |
Correlation
The correlation between RND and SPXM is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.50 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2025 | 0.49 |
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Return for Risk
RND vs. SPXM — Risk / Return Rank
RND
SPXM
RND vs. SPXM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) and Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF (SPXM). 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.
| RND | SPXM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.35 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.47 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.39 | -0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.12 | 2.11 | -0.99 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.92 | 9.87 | -5.96 |
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Drawdowns
RND vs. SPXM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RND drawdown since its inception was -23.52%, which is greater than SPXM's maximum drawdown of -5.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RND and SPXM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RND | SPXM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -23.52% | -5.08% | -18.44% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.56% | -5.08% | -10.48% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.94% | -0.75% | -1.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.68% | -0.78% | -2.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.45% | — | — |
Volatility
RND vs. SPXM - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) has a higher volatility of 4.81% compared to Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF (SPXM) at 0.00%. This indicates that RND's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPXM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RND | SPXM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.81% | 0.00% | +4.81% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.12% | 3.78% | +9.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.66% | 7.65% | +9.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.09% | 7.59% | +13.50% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.09% | 7.59% | +13.50% |
RND vs. SPXM - Expense Ratio Comparison
RND has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXM's 0.47% expense ratio.
Dividends
RND vs. SPXM - Dividend Comparison
RND has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPXM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
RND First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.04% |
SPXM Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF | 0.24% | 0.24% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RND and SPXM have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
RND has higher volatility (4.81%) compared to SPXM (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RND dropped -23.52% vs SPXM's -5.08%.
On 1-year performance, RND leads with 17.39% vs 8.72% for SPXM. On fees, SPXM is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, SPXM has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, RND has performed better with a 17.39% return vs 8.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPXM is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for RND.
SPXM has the higher dividend yield at 0.24%, compared with 0.00% for RND.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Azoria. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for RND and 0.47% for SPXM.
SPXM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 1.05), 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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