SIXL vs. SPMD
SIXL (ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF) and SPMD (SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. SIXL is actively managed, while SPMD is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SIXL returned 3.45%/yr vs 8.20%/yr for SPMD. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SIXL charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPMD.
Performance
SIXL vs. SPMD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SIXL achieves a 3.41% return, which is significantly lower than SPMD's 14.16% return.
SIXL
- 1D
- -0.16%
- 1M
- -2.82%
- YTD
- 3.41%
- 6M
- 2.41%
- 1Y
- 3.64%
- 3Y*
- 7.60%
- 5Y*
- 3.45%
- 10Y*
- —
SPMD
- 1D
- -0.08%
- 1M
- 3.86%
- YTD
- 14.16%
- 6M
- 14.41%
- 1Y
- 25.49%
- 3Y*
- 16.15%
- 5Y*
- 8.20%
- 10Y*
- 11.51%
SIXL vs. SPMD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SIXL ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF | 3.41% | -0.61% | 14.13% | 2.38% | -7.49% | 20.00% | 18.42% |
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF | 14.16% | 7.44% | 13.91% | 16.48% | -13.13% | 24.76% | 39.80% |
Correlation
The correlation between SIXL and SPMD is 0.55, 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 | 0.55 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.76 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 12, 2020 | 0.78 |
Over the past year, the correlation between SIXL and SPMD has dropped to 0.55 - well below their long-term average of 0.78, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
SIXL vs. SPMD — Risk / Return Rank
SIXL
SPMD
SIXL vs. SPMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD). 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.
| SIXL | SPMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.26 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.81 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.07 | 1.29 | -0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.56 | 2.89 | -2.33 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.58 | 10.61 | -9.03 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SIXL | SPMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.38 | 1.65 | -1.26 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.29 | 0.42 | -0.13 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.55 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.63 | 0.45 | +0.17 |
Drawdowns
SIXL vs. SPMD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SIXL drawdown since its inception was -16.08%, smaller than the maximum SPMD drawdown of -57.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIXL and SPMD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SIXL | SPMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.08% | -57.62% | +41.54% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.52% | -8.86% | +2.34% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.65% | -24.08% | +12.43% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.08% | -24.08% | +8.00% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -41.86% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.04% | -0.08% | -5.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.57% | -8.12% | +3.55% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.31% | 2.41% | -0.10% |
Volatility
SIXL vs. SPMD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL) is 2.36%, while SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD) has a volatility of 4.38%. This indicates that SIXL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SIXL | SPMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.36% | 4.38% | -2.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.61% | 11.37% | -4.76% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.50% | 15.57% | -6.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.14% | 19.70% | -7.56% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 12.55% | 21.18% | -8.63% |
SIXL vs. SPMD - Expense Ratio Comparison
SIXL has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than SPMD's 0.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
SIXL vs. SPMD - Dividend Comparison
SIXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, more than SPMD's 1.23% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SIXL ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF | 2.31% | 2.31% | 1.28% | 1.48% | 1.45% | 0.67% | 0.40% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF | 1.23% | 1.39% | 1.42% | 1.47% | 1.64% | 1.24% | 1.30% | 1.57% | 1.85% | 1.97% | 2.13% | 5.33% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SIXL and SPMD have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SPMD has higher volatility (4.38%) compared to SIXL (2.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIXL dropped -16.08% vs SPMD's -57.62%.
On 5-year performance, SPMD leads with 8.20% vs 3.45% for SIXL. On fees, SPMD is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SIXL has been the lower-risk option at 2.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, SPMD has performed better with a 8.20% return vs 3.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPMD is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for SIXL.
SIXL has the higher dividend yield at 2.31%, compared with 1.23% for SPMD.
They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for SIXL and 0.05% for SPMD.
SPMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 0.38), 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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