SDVY vs. SPY

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SDVY (First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SDVY is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SDVY returned 10.56%/yr vs 12.76%/yr for SPY. Their 0.69 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SDVY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SDVY vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) 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, SDVY achieves a 14.77% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.13% return.

SDVY

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.44%
• 6M: 8.90%
• YTD: 14.77%
• 1Y: 24.71%
• 3Y*: 15.03%
• 5Y*: 10.56%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.30%

SPY

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 0.30%
• 6M: 8.53%
• YTD: 10.13%
• 1Y: 21.49%
• 3Y*: 19.32%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: 15.07%
• ALL TIME*: 10.79%

*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)
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	$38.61M	$37.48M	$45.12M
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	$37.27B	$35.99B	$39.23B

SDVY vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	14.77%	8.83%	11.19%	28.58%	-11.98%	29.13%	11.72%	25.62%	-15.26%	5.62%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.13%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	4.13%

Correlation

The correlation between SDVY and SPY is 0.63, 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.	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2017	0.69

The correlation between SDVY and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.77 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SDVY vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDVY	SPY
Financial Services	33.9%	12.5%
Industrials	27.6%	7.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	8.9%
Technology	8.6%	36.9%
Basic Materials	5.7%	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	4.8%
Healthcare	3.4%	9.4%
Energy	2.9%	3.4%
Communication Services	2.3%	9.7%
Real Estate	0.6%	2.0%
Utilities	0.6%	2.6%

Return for Risk

SDVY vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDVY

SDVY Risk / Return Rank: 69
SDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
SDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
SDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 70

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 67
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SPY 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.

SDVY vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) 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.

	SDVY	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	1.52	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	2.11	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.27	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	2.20	+0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.50	9.40	-0.90

SDVY vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDVY 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

SDVY vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDVY drawdown since its inception was -44.70%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDVY and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDVY	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.70%	-55.19%	+10.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-8.88%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.92%	-18.76%	-7.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.92%	-24.50%	-1.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.82%	-1.40%	+0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.58%	-9.01%	+1.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	2.08%	+0.61%

Volatility

SDVY vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 3.69% and 3.58%, 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

	SDVY	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.69%	3.58%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.58%	10.14%	+0.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.07%	12.89%	+2.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.84%	17.18%	+3.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.65%	17.95%	+6.70%

SDVY vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDVY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDVY vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.94%	1.69%	1.60%	1.90%	2.28%	1.09%	1.48%	1.69%	1.57%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%
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 SDVY and SPY in my portfolio?

SDVY and SPY have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDVY or SPY?

SDVY has higher volatility (3.69%) compared to SPY (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDVY dropped -44.70% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, SDVY or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 12.76% vs 10.56% for SDVY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 3.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDVY or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 12.76% return vs 10.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDVY or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SDVY.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.94% for SDVY.

What is the main difference between SDVY and SPY?

SDVY is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. SDVY tracks NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SDVY and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 1.52), 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.