SPMD vs. SPYD

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SPMD (SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF) and SPYD (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPMD is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index, while SPYD is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPMD returned 11.39%/yr vs 8.63%/yr for SPYD. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPMD charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for SPYD.

Performance

SPMD vs. SPYD - 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 State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPMD achieves a 14.54% return, which is significantly higher than SPYD's 11.64% return. Over the past 10 years, SPMD has outperformed SPYD with an annualized return of 11.39%, while SPYD has yielded a comparatively lower 8.63% annualized 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%

SPYD

• 1D: 1.19%
• 1M: 1.96%
• YTD: 11.64%
• 6M: 12.50%
• 1Y: 18.54%
• 3Y*: 14.97%
• 5Y*: 7.01%
• 10Y*: 8.63%

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

SPMD vs. SPYD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF	14.54%	7.44%	13.91%	16.48%	-13.13%	24.76%	13.46%	25.19%	-10.34%	15.12%
SPYD State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF	11.64%	4.65%	15.34%	3.91%	-1.17%	32.73%	-11.64%	21.20%	-4.89%	12.67%

Correlation

The correlation between SPMD and SPYD is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 23, 2015	0.78

The correlation between SPMD and SPYD shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (1 year) to 0.79 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SPMD vs. SPYD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPMD

SPMD Risk / Return Rank: 55
SPMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
SPMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SPMD Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SPMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPMD Martin Ratio Rank: 62

SPYD

SPYD Risk / Return Rank: 48
SPYD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SPYD Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
SPYD Omega Ratio Rank: 44
SPYD Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SPYD Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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. SPYD - 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 State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD). 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	SPYD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	1.60	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.47	2.41	+0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.27	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	2.64	+0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.91	7.67	+3.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPMD vs. SPYD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPMD Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the SPYD Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPMD and SPYD, 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

	SPMD	SPYD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70	1.60	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.44	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.44	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.47	-0.02

Drawdowns

SPMD vs. SPYD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPMD drawdown since its inception was -57.62%, which is greater than SPYD's maximum drawdown of -46.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPMD and SPYD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPMD	SPYD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.62%	-46.42%	-11.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.86%	-7.05%	-1.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.08%	-16.13%	-7.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.08%	-22.25%	-1.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.86%	-46.42%	+4.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.12%	-6.17%	-1.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.41%	2.42%	-0.01%

Volatility

SPMD vs. SPYD - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD) has a higher volatility of 4.23% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) at 2.70%. This indicates that SPMD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPMD	SPYD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.23%	2.70%	+1.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.36%	7.73%	+3.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.53%	11.67%	+3.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.70%	16.14%	+3.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.18%	19.78%	+1.40%

SPMD vs. SPYD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPMD has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than SPYD's 0.07% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPMD vs. SPYD - Dividend Comparison

SPMD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, less than SPYD's 4.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SPYD State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF	4.16%	4.52%	4.31%	4.66%	5.01%	3.68%	4.95%	4.42%	4.75%	4.63%	4.34%	1.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPMD and SPYD in my portfolio?

SPMD and SPYD have a correlation of 0.65, 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 SPYD?

SPMD has higher volatility (4.23%) compared to SPYD (2.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPMD dropped -57.62% vs SPYD's -46.42%.

Which ETF is better, SPMD or SPYD?

On 10-year performance, SPMD leads with 11.39% vs 8.63% for SPYD. On fees, SPMD is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SPYD has been the lower-risk option at 2.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPMD or SPYD?

Over the 10-year period, SPMD has performed better with a 11.39% return vs 8.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPMD or SPYD?

SPMD is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for SPYD.

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

SPYD has the higher dividend yield at 4.16%, compared with 1.22% for SPMD.

What is the main difference between SPMD and SPYD?

SPMD is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while SPYD is S&P 500. SPMD tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index, while SPYD tracks S&P 500 High Dividend Index. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for SPMD and 0.07% for SPYD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.60), 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.