SPMD vs. LST

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SPMD (SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF) and LST (Leuthold Select Industries ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. SPMD is passively managed, while LST is actively managed. Over the past year, SPMD returned 25.98% vs 33.31% for LST. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPMD charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for LST.

Performance

SPMD vs. LST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD) and Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SPMD having a 15.51% return and LST slightly higher at 16.23%.

SPMD

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 3.99%
• YTD: 15.51%
• 6M: 14.03%
• 1Y: 25.98%
• 3Y*: 15.42%
• 5Y*: 8.28%
• 10Y*: 11.78%

LST

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: 3.17%
• YTD: 16.23%
• 6M: 16.22%
• 1Y: 33.31%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SPMD vs. LST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF	15.51%	3.47%
LST Leuthold Select Industries ETF	16.23%	15.31%

Correlation

The correlation between SPMD and LST is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2025	0.83

The correlation between SPMD and LST has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SPMD vs. LST — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPMD

SPMD Risk / Return Rank: 60
SPMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
SPMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
SPMD Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SPMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
SPMD Martin Ratio Rank: 67

LST

LST Risk / Return Rank: 76
LST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
LST Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
LST Omega Ratio Rank: 76
LST Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
LST Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

SPMD vs. LST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD) and Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST). 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.

	SPMD	LST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	2.25	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	3.13	-0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.40	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.95	3.09	-0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.81	12.66	-1.85

SPMD vs. LST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPMD Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the LST Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPMD and LST, 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

SPMD vs. LST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPMD drawdown since its inception was -57.62%, which is greater than LST's maximum drawdown of -19.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPMD and LST.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPMD	LST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.62%	-19.47%	-38.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.86%	-10.85%	+1.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.08%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.08%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.23%	+1.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.11%	-2.89%	-5.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.41%	2.64%	-0.23%

Volatility

SPMD vs. LST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD) is 5.07%, while Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) has a volatility of 5.45%. This indicates that SPMD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPMD	LST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.07%	5.45%	-0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.77%	12.40%	-0.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.91%	14.88%	+1.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.75%	18.08%	+1.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.20%	18.08%	+3.12%

SPMD vs. LST - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPMD has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than LST's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPMD vs. LST - Dividend Comparison

SPMD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.21%, more than LST's 1.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LST Leuthold Select Industries ETF	1.16%	1.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF	1.21%	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

Can I hold both SPMD and LST in my portfolio?

SPMD and LST have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPMD or LST?

LST has higher volatility (5.45%) compared to SPMD (5.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPMD dropped -57.62% vs LST's -19.47%.

Which ETF is better, SPMD or LST?

On 1-year performance, LST leads with 33.31% vs 25.98% for SPMD. On fees, SPMD is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SPMD has been the lower-risk option at 5.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPMD or LST?

Over the 1-year period, LST has performed better with a 33.31% return vs 25.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPMD or LST?

SPMD is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for LST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPMD or LST?

SPMD has the higher dividend yield at 1.21%, compared with 1.16% for LST.

What is the main difference between SPMD and LST?

They also come from different issuers: State Street and Leuthold Group. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for SPMD and 0.65% for LST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 1.64), 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.