SCMIX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SCMIX (Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund Institutional 2 Class) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - SCMIX is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Columbia, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. SCMIX is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCMIX returned 28.59%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCMIX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SCMIX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund Institutional 2 Class (SCMIX) 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, SCMIX achieves a 59.42% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, SCMIX has outperformed SPY with an annualized return of 28.59%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively lower 15.70% annualized return.

SCMIX

• 1D: 3.72%
• 1M: 8.40%
• YTD: 59.42%
• 6M: 57.39%
• 1Y: 122.57%
• 3Y*: 46.22%
• 5Y*: 26.98%
• 10Y*: 28.59%

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

SCMIX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCMIX Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund Institutional 2 Class	59.42%	37.73%	27.06%	44.68%	-30.96%	39.37%	44.85%	54.60%	-7.81%	34.46%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SCMIX and SPY is 0.82, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2002	0.85

The correlation between SCMIX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCMIX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCMIX

SCMIX Risk / Return Rank: 96
SCMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
SCMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SCMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SCMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SCMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

SCMIX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund Institutional 2 Class (SCMIX) 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.

	SCMIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.40	2.16	+2.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.61	2.91	+1.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.39	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.88	3.01	+6.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	36.18	13.54	+22.65

SCMIX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCMIX Sharpe Ratio is 4.40, which is higher than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCMIX 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

SCMIX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCMIX drawdown since its inception was -50.85%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCMIX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCMIX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.85%	-55.19%	+4.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.32%	-8.88%	-3.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.08%	-18.76%	-10.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.18%	-24.50%	-12.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.18%	-33.72%	-3.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.75%	+1.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.40%	-9.04%	-0.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.36%	1.97%	+1.39%

Volatility

SCMIX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund Institutional 2 Class (SCMIX) has a higher volatility of 11.52% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that SCMIX'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

	SCMIX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.52%	4.64%	+6.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.80%	9.75%	+12.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.71%	12.43%	+15.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.55%	17.14%	+9.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.30%	17.99%	+8.31%

SCMIX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCMIX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCMIX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SCMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.98%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCMIX Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund Institutional 2 Class	4.98%	7.93%	12.11%	4.52%	8.08%	10.45%	9.38%	10.47%	11.30%	10.48%	7.88%	10.40%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	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 SCMIX and SPY in my portfolio?

SCMIX and SPY have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCMIX or SPY?

SCMIX has higher volatility (11.52%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCMIX dropped -50.85% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCMIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.40 vs 2.16), 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.