SLYG vs. SMLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SLYG (SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF) and SMLV (SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SLYG is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, while SMLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SLYG returned 10.83%/yr vs 10.05%/yr for SMLV. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SLYG charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for SMLV.

Performance

SLYG vs. SMLV - 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 SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SLYG achieves a 15.50% return, which is significantly higher than SMLV's 12.88% return. Over the past 10 years, SLYG has outperformed SMLV with an annualized return of 10.83%, while SMLV has yielded a comparatively lower 10.05% 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%

SMLV

• 1D: -1.48%
• 1M: 1.39%
• YTD: 12.88%
• 6M: 12.84%
• 1Y: 21.90%
• 3Y*: 15.66%
• 5Y*: 7.75%
• 10Y*: 10.05%

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

SLYG vs. SMLV - 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%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	12.88%	5.66%	16.77%	7.52%	-7.69%	27.67%	-1.55%	24.10%	-6.62%	5.68%

Correlation

The correlation between SLYG and SMLV is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 22, 2013	0.87

The correlation between SLYG and SMLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

SLYG vs. SMLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SLYG	SMLV
Technology	20.1%	11.2%
Industrials	19.5%	14.3%
Healthcare	14.4%	8.7%
Financial Services	13.9%	30.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	8.7%
Real Estate	6.4%	12.2%
Energy	5.1%	1.8%
Communication Services	2.8%	2.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	4.3%
Basic Materials	2.8%	3.2%
Utilities	1.9%	2.9%

Return for Risk

SLYG vs. SMLV — 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

SMLV

SMLV Risk / Return Rank: 45
SMLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SMLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
SMLV Omega Ratio Rank: 39
SMLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SMLV Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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. SMLV - 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 SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). 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	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.40	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	2.05	+0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.26	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	3.00	-0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.11	8.20	+1.91
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. SMLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLYG Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the SMLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLYG and SMLV, 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	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50	1.40	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.43	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.48	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.54	-0.24

Drawdowns

SLYG vs. SMLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLYG drawdown since its inception was -62.15%, which is greater than SMLV's maximum drawdown of -42.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLYG and SMLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLYG	SMLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.15%	-42.45%	-19.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.10%	-7.34%	-1.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.39%	-20.40%	-6.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.18%	-20.40%	-8.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.86%	-42.45%	+0.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.42%	-1.48%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.55%	-5.46%	-9.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	2.68%	-0.08%

Volatility

SLYG vs. SMLV - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) has a higher volatility of 4.59% compared to SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) at 3.98%. This indicates that SLYG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SLYG	SMLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.59%	3.98%	+0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.47%	9.88%	+2.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.57%	15.73%	+1.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.51%	18.28%	+3.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.74%	20.95%	+1.79%

SLYG vs. SMLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLYG has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SMLV's 0.12% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SLYG vs. SMLV - Dividend Comparison

SLYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.71%, less than SMLV's 2.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	2.35%	2.74%	2.68%	2.68%	2.40%	2.12%	2.47%	2.62%	3.15%	7.92%	3.04%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SLYG and SMLV in my portfolio?

SLYG and SMLV have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SLYG or SMLV?

SLYG has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to SMLV (3.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLYG dropped -62.15% vs SMLV's -42.45%.

Which ETF is better, SLYG or SMLV?

On 10-year performance, SLYG leads with 10.83% vs 10.05% for SMLV. On fees, SMLV is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, SMLV has been the lower-risk option at 3.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SLYG or SMLV?

Over the 10-year period, SLYG has performed better with a 10.83% return vs 10.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SLYG or SMLV?

SMLV is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for SLYG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SLYG or SMLV?

SMLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.35%, compared with 0.71% for SLYG.

What is the main difference between SLYG and SMLV?

SLYG is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while SMLV is Volatility Hedged Equity. SLYG tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, while SMLV tracks SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for SLYG and 0.12% for SMLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLYG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 1.40), 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.