SPMD vs. SIXL
SPMD (SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF) and SIXL (ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. SPMD is passively managed, while SIXL is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPMD returned 8.28%/yr vs 3.61%/yr for SIXL. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPMD charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for SIXL.
Performance
SPMD vs. SIXL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SPMD achieves a 14.54% return, which is significantly higher than SIXL's 4.20% return.
SPMD
- 1D
- 0.33%
- 1M
- 2.89%
- YTD
- 14.54%
- 6M
- 14.24%
- 1Y
- 26.21%
- 3Y*
- 16.67%
- 5Y*
- 8.28%
- 10Y*
- 11.39%
SIXL
- 1D
- 0.77%
- 1M
- -2.38%
- YTD
- 4.20%
- 6M
- 3.53%
- 1Y
- 5.04%
- 3Y*
- 8.24%
- 5Y*
- 3.61%
- 10Y*
- —
SPMD vs. SIXL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF | 14.54% | 7.44% | 13.91% | 16.48% | -13.13% | 24.76% | 39.80% |
SIXL ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF | 4.20% | -0.61% | 14.13% | 2.38% | -7.49% | 20.00% | 18.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between SPMD and SIXL is 0.55, 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 | 0.55 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.76 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 12, 2020 | 0.78 |
Over the past year, the correlation between SPMD and SIXL has dropped to 0.55 - well below their long-term average of 0.78, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
SPMD vs. SIXL — Risk / Return Rank
SPMD
SIXL
SPMD vs. SIXL - 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 ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL). 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.
| SPMD | SIXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.16 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.67 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.10 | +0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.97 | 0.78 | +2.20 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.91 | 2.16 | +8.76 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SPMD | SIXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.70 | 0.53 | +1.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.42 | 0.30 | +0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.54 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.45 | 0.64 | -0.18 |
Drawdowns
SPMD vs. SIXL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SPMD drawdown since its inception was -57.62%, which is greater than SIXL's maximum drawdown of -16.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPMD and SIXL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SPMD | SIXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -57.62% | -16.08% | -41.54% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.86% | -6.52% | -2.34% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.08% | -11.65% | -12.43% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.08% | -16.08% | -8.00% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.86% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -5.32% | +5.32% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.12% | -4.57% | -3.55% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.41% | 2.34% | +0.07% |
Volatility
SPMD vs. SIXL - Volatility Comparison
SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD) has a higher volatility of 4.23% compared to ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL) at 2.49%. This indicates that SPMD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SIXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SPMD | SIXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.23% | 2.49% | +1.74% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.36% | 6.64% | +4.72% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.53% | 9.53% | +6.00% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.70% | 12.14% | +7.56% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.18% | 12.55% | +8.63% |
SPMD vs. SIXL - Expense Ratio Comparison
SPMD has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than SIXL's 0.47% expense ratio.
Dividends
SPMD vs. SIXL - Dividend Comparison
SPMD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, less than SIXL's 2.29% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SIXL ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF | 2.29% | 2.31% | 1.28% | 1.48% | 1.45% | 0.67% | 0.40% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF | 1.22% | 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
SPMD and SIXL have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SPMD has higher volatility (4.23%) compared to SIXL (2.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPMD dropped -57.62% vs SIXL's -16.08%.
On 5-year performance, SPMD leads with 8.28% vs 3.61% for SIXL. On fees, SPMD is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SIXL has been the lower-risk option at 2.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, SPMD has performed better with a 8.28% return vs 3.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPMD is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for SIXL.
SIXL has the higher dividend yield at 2.29%, compared with 1.22% for SPMD.
They also come from different issuers: State Street and Exchange Traded Concepts. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for SPMD and 0.47% for SIXL.
SPMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 0.53), 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.
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