SPDW vs. SPSM

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SPDW (SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF) and SPSM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPDW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index, while SPSM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPDW returned 10.64%/yr vs 11.30%/yr for SPSM. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPDW charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPSM.

Performance

SPDW vs. SPSM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPDW achieves a 14.86% return, which is significantly lower than SPSM's 19.73% return. Over the past 10 years, SPDW has underperformed SPSM with an annualized return of 10.64%, while SPSM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.30% annualized return.

SPDW

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 1.53%
• YTD: 14.86%
• 6M: 16.65%
• 1Y: 31.27%
• 3Y*: 19.01%
• 5Y*: 9.30%
• 10Y*: 10.64%

SPSM

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: 5.61%
• YTD: 19.73%
• 6M: 16.52%
• 1Y: 37.11%
• 3Y*: 14.81%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: 11.30%

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

SPDW vs. SPSM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	14.86%	34.75%	3.55%	17.81%	-15.98%	11.45%	9.90%	22.41%	-14.22%	25.81%
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	19.73%	6.11%	8.55%	16.11%	-16.12%	26.67%	11.69%	25.85%	-11.17%	15.44%

Correlation

The correlation between SPDW and SPSM is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2013	0.71

The correlation between SPDW and SPSM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPDW vs. SPSM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPDW	SPSM
Financial Services	22.9%	16.9%
Industrials	19.2%	15.5%
Technology	13.7%	15.5%
Healthcare	8.3%	11.0%
Consumer Cyclical	7.8%	13.4%
Basic Materials	7.3%	5.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.7%	3.5%
Energy	5.5%	5.9%
Communication Services	3.8%	3.6%
Utilities	3.3%	2.0%
Real Estate	2.5%	7.7%

Return for Risk

SPDW vs. SPSM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPDW

SPDW Risk / Return Rank: 62
SPDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SPDW Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPDW Martin Ratio Rank: 63

SPSM

SPSM Risk / Return Rank: 74
SPSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
SPSM Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SPSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
SPSM Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

SPDW vs. SPSM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM). 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.

	SPDW	SPSM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	1.95	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.80	-0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.33	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	3.96	-1.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.95	13.39	-3.43

SPDW vs. SPSM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPDW Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the SPSM Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPDW and SPSM, 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

SPDW vs. SPSM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPDW drawdown since its inception was -60.02%, which is greater than SPSM's maximum drawdown of -42.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPDW and SPSM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPDW	SPSM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.02%	-42.89%	-17.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.55%	-8.72%	-2.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.53%	-27.94%	+14.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.21%	-27.94%	-2.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.98%	-42.89%	+7.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	0.00%	-0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.89%	-7.91%	-4.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	2.59%	+0.40%

Volatility

SPDW vs. SPSM - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) has a higher volatility of 6.86% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) at 5.14%. This indicates that SPDW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPSM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPDW	SPSM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.86%	5.14%	+1.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.23%	11.96%	+2.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.51%	17.69%	-1.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.66%	21.45%	-4.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.31%	23.00%	-5.69%

SPDW vs. SPSM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPDW has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than SPSM's 0.03% 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

SPDW vs. SPSM - Dividend Comparison

SPDW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.87%, more than SPSM's 1.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	2.87%	3.30%	3.19%	2.75%	3.12%	3.04%	1.87%	3.13%	3.08%	1.86%	3.11%	2.78%
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	1.37%	1.62%	1.85%	1.61%	1.38%	1.40%	1.34%	1.58%	1.82%	1.51%	1.49%	2.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPDW and SPSM in my portfolio?

SPDW and SPSM have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPDW or SPSM?

SPDW has higher volatility (6.86%) compared to SPSM (5.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPDW dropped -60.02% vs SPSM's -42.89%.

Which ETF is better, SPDW or SPSM?

On 10-year performance, SPSM leads with 11.30% vs 10.64% for SPDW. On fees, SPSM is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SPSM has been the lower-risk option at 5.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPDW or SPSM?

Over the 10-year period, SPSM has performed better with a 11.30% return vs 10.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPDW or SPSM?

SPSM is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.04% for SPDW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPDW or SPSM?

SPDW has the higher dividend yield at 2.87%, compared with 1.37% for SPSM.

What is the main difference between SPDW and SPSM?

SPDW is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while SPSM is Small Cap Blend Equities. SPDW tracks S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index, while SPSM tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SPDW and 0.03% for SPSM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPSM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.80), 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.