SLYG vs. PRDSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SLYG (SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF) and PRDSX (T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small-Cap Growth Equity Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SLYG returned 10.83%/yr vs 11.71%/yr for PRDSX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SLYG charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for PRDSX.

Performance

SLYG vs. PRDSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) and T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small-Cap Growth Equity Fund (PRDSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with SLYG having a 15.50% return and PRDSX slightly lower at 14.76%. Over the past 10 years, SLYG has underperformed PRDSX with an annualized return of 10.83%, while PRDSX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.71% annualized return.

SLYG

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 0.98%
• YTD: 15.50%
• 6M: 13.61%
• 1Y: 26.20%
• 3Y*: 14.46%
• 5Y*: 5.49%
• 10Y*: 10.83%

PRDSX

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 3.81%
• YTD: 14.76%
• 6M: 13.56%
• 1Y: 28.98%
• 3Y*: 16.49%
• 5Y*: 7.58%
• 10Y*: 11.71%

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

SLYG vs. PRDSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SLYG SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF	15.50%	5.20%	9.38%	17.27%	-21.26%	22.42%	19.48%	20.97%	-4.20%	14.62%
PRDSX T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small-Cap Growth Equity Fund	14.76%	10.10%	12.97%	21.15%	-22.49%	11.15%	23.85%	32.75%	-6.91%	22.12%

Correlation

The correlation between SLYG and PRDSX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2000	0.92

The correlation between SLYG and PRDSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SLYG vs. PRDSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLYG

SLYG Risk / Return Rank: 48
SLYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
SLYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SLYG Omega Ratio Rank: 40
SLYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SLYG Martin Ratio Rank: 57

PRDSX

PRDSX Risk / Return Rank: 37
PRDSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
PRDSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
PRDSX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
PRDSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
PRDSX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

SLYG vs. PRDSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) and T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small-Cap Growth Equity Fund (PRDSX). 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.

	SLYG	PRDSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.64	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	2.35	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.28	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	2.55	+0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.11	9.89	+0.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SLYG vs. PRDSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLYG Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the PRDSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLYG and PRDSX, 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

	SLYG	PRDSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50	1.64	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.36	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.55	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.37	-0.07

Drawdowns

SLYG vs. PRDSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLYG drawdown since its inception was -62.15%, which is greater than PRDSX's maximum drawdown of -58.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLYG and PRDSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLYG	PRDSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.15%	-58.95%	-3.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.10%	-12.08%	+2.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.39%	-25.84%	-1.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.18%	-33.17%	+3.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.86%	-37.61%	-4.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.42%	-0.33%	-1.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.55%	-14.16%	-0.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	3.11%	-0.51%

Volatility

SLYG vs. PRDSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) is 4.59%, while T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small-Cap Growth Equity Fund (PRDSX) has a volatility of 6.03%. This indicates that SLYG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PRDSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SLYG	PRDSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.59%	6.03%	-1.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.47%	14.75%	-2.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.57%	18.82%	-1.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.51%	21.37%	+0.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.74%	21.51%	+1.23%

SLYG vs. PRDSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLYG has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than PRDSX's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

SLYG vs. PRDSX - Dividend Comparison

SLYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.71%, less than PRDSX's 5.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRDSX T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small-Cap Growth Equity Fund	5.53%	6.35%	7.96%	2.43%	3.72%	13.97%	2.91%	4.12%	4.53%	0.10%	0.02%	1.83%
SLYG SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF	0.71%	0.86%	1.22%	1.18%	1.18%	0.68%	0.71%	1.08%	1.06%	4.74%	1.13%	5.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SLYG and PRDSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, SLYG and PRDSX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SLYG or PRDSX?

PRDSX has higher volatility (6.03%) compared to SLYG (4.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLYG dropped -62.15% vs PRDSX's -58.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRDSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 1.50), 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.