SAMM vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

SAMM (Strategas Macro Momentum ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SAMM is a Momentum fund actively managed by Strategas, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. SAMM is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past year, SAMM returned 19.53% vs 22.18% for SPY. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SAMM charges 0.66%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SAMM vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strategas Macro Momentum ETF (SAMM) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAMM achieves a 6.77% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 8.10% return.

SAMM

• 1D: -1.42%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 6.77%
• 6M: 4.99%
• 1Y: 19.53%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -1.41%
• YTD: 8.10%
• 6M: 6.77%
• 1Y: 22.18%
• 3Y*: 20.66%
• 5Y*: 12.96%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

SAMM vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SAMM Strategas Macro Momentum ETF	6.77%	12.01%	8.32%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.10%	17.72%	13.93%

Correlation

The correlation between SAMM and SPY is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2024	0.82

The correlation between SAMM and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

SAMM vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SAMM	SPY
Industrials	22.3%	7.8%
Technology	19.7%	39.0%
Basic Materials	14.3%	1.7%
Healthcare	9.9%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	9.9%
Financial Services	8.9%	11.1%
Energy	8.7%	3.1%
Utilities	3.3%	2.1%
Communication Services	3.2%	10.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	4.5%
Real Estate	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

SAMM vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAMM

SAMM Risk / Return Rank: 40
SAMM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
SAMM Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
SAMM Omega Ratio Rank: 31
SAMM Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
SAMM Martin Ratio Rank: 50

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 60
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

SAMM vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strategas Macro Momentum ETF (SAMM) 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.

	SAMM	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	1.79	-0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	2.45	-0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.33	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.33	2.51	-0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.52	11.15	-3.64

SAMM vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAMM Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAMM and SPY, 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

SAMM vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAMM drawdown since its inception was -24.09%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAMM and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAMM	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.09%	-55.19%	+31.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.43%	-8.88%	+0.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.58%	-3.22%	-2.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.37%	-9.03%	+4.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	1.99%	+0.61%

Volatility

SAMM vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Strategas Macro Momentum ETF (SAMM) has a higher volatility of 8.75% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.85%. This indicates that SAMM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAMM	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.75%	4.85%	+3.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.84%	9.81%	+5.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.74%	12.47%	+6.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.39%	17.15%	+2.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.39%	17.95%	+1.44%

SAMM vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAMM has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAMM vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SAMM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, less than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SAMM Strategas Macro Momentum ETF	0.97%	1.03%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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

Can I hold both SAMM and SPY in my portfolio?

SAMM and SPY have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAMM or SPY?

SAMM has higher volatility (8.75%) compared to SPY (4.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAMM dropped -24.09% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, SAMM or SPY?

On 1-year performance, SPY leads with 22.18% vs 19.53% for SAMM. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SAMM or SPY?

Over the 1-year period, SPY has performed better with a 22.18% return vs 19.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SAMM or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.66% for SAMM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SAMM or SPY?

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.97% for SAMM.

What is the main difference between SAMM and SPY?

SAMM is categorized as Momentum, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Strategas and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.66% for SAMM and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 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.