SLMCX vs. SPY

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

SLMCX (Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund Class A) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - SLMCX is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Columbia, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. SLMCX is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SLMCX returned 26.27%/yr vs 15.07%/yr for SPY. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SLMCX charges 1.16%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SLMCX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund Class A (SLMCX) 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, SLMCX achieves a 45.62% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.13% return. Over the past 10 years, SLMCX has outperformed SPY with an annualized return of 26.27%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively lower 15.07% annualized return.

SLMCX

• 1D: 4.87%
• 1M: -3.57%
• 6M: 32.79%
• YTD: 45.62%
• 1Y: 84.57%
• 3Y*: 39.12%
• 5Y*: 23.40%
• 10Y*: 26.27%
• ALL TIME*: 23.19%

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)
SLMCX Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	$37.27B	$35.99B	$39.23B

SLMCX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SLMCX Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund Class A	45.62%	37.32%	26.67%	44.27%	-31.14%	38.97%	44.45%	54.15%	-8.12%	34.08%
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%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SLMCX and SPY is 0.82, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 1993	0.78

The correlation between SLMCX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (all time) to 0.89 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SLMCX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLMCX

SLMCX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SLMCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SLMCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
SLMCX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
SLMCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
SLMCX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

SLMCX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	SLMCX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.74	1.52	+1.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	2.11	+1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.27	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.33	2.20	+4.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.79	9.40	+11.39

SLMCX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLMCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.74, which is higher than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLMCX 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

SLMCX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLMCX drawdown since its inception was -68.10%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLMCX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLMCX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.10%	-55.19%	-12.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.79%	-8.88%	-3.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.13%	-18.76%	-10.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.32%	-24.50%	-12.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.32%	-33.72%	-3.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.54%	-1.40%	-7.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.97%	-9.01%	-3.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.87%	2.08%	+1.79%

Volatility

SLMCX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund Class A (SLMCX) has a higher volatility of 10.04% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 3.58%. This indicates that SLMCX'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

	SLMCX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.04%	3.58%	+6.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.32%	10.14%	+13.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.59%	12.89%	+16.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.92%	17.18%	+9.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.39%	17.95%	+8.44%

SLMCX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLMCX has a 1.16% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SLMCX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SLMCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.49%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SLMCX Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund Class A	6.49%	9.45%	14.27%	5.16%	9.42%	11.75%	10.40%	11.44%	12.33%	11.15%	8.19%	10.79%
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 SLMCX and SPY in my portfolio?

SLMCX 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, SLMCX or SPY?

SLMCX has higher volatility (10.04%) compared to SPY (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLMCX dropped -68.10% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLMCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 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.