SDVY vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 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 8.70%/yr vs 14.20%/yr for SPY. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. 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 8.17% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.69% return.

SDVY

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: -1.83%
• YTD: 8.17%
• 6M: 9.36%
• 1Y: 22.12%
• 3Y*: 17.44%
• 5Y*: 8.70%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

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	8.17%	8.83%	11.19%	28.58%	-11.98%	29.13%	11.72%	25.62%	-15.26%	5.78%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	3.78%

Correlation

The correlation between SDVY and SPY is 0.67, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.70

The correlation between SDVY and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (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	33.5%	11.8%
Industrials	29.3%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	10.3%
Technology	8.4%	35.9%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	4.8%
Basic Materials	4.2%	1.8%
Energy	3.0%	3.6%
Healthcare	3.0%	8.4%
Communication Services	1.8%	11.3%
Utilities	0.6%	2.4%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

SDVY vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDVY

SDVY Risk / Return Rank: 44
SDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
SDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 39
SDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
SDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 48

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

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.

	SDVY	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	2.52	-1.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.23	3.42	-1.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.46	-0.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	3.42	-1.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.17	15.93	-7.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SDVY vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SDVY	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.45	2.52	-1.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.84	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.59	-0.15

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	-2.66%	0.00%	-2.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.71%	-9.05%	+1.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	1.91%	+0.77%

Volatility

SDVY vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) has a higher volatility of 4.26% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that SDVY'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

	SDVY	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.26%	2.75%	+1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.88%	8.89%	+1.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.34%	11.81%	+3.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.04%	17.05%	+3.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.83%	17.94%	+6.89%

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 1.20%, more than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	1.20%	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	0.97%	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 0.67, 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 (4.26%) compared to SPY (2.75%). 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 14.20% vs 8.70% for SDVY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. 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 14.20% return vs 8.70%. 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?

SDVY has the higher dividend yield at 1.20%, compared with 0.97% for SPY.

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 (2.52 vs 1.45), 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.