SPYM vs. MAYM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) and MAYM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May) are both exchange-traded funds - SPYM is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while MAYM is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust. SPYM is passively managed, while MAYM is actively managed. Over the past year, SPYM returned 28.09% vs 6.36% for MAYM. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPYM charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for MAYM.

Performance

SPYM vs. MAYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May (MAYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPYM achieves a 10.98% return, which is significantly higher than MAYM's 2.33% return.

SPYM

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: 5.06%
• YTD: 10.98%
• 6M: 10.98%
• 1Y: 28.09%
• 3Y*: 22.46%
• 5Y*: 13.91%
• 10Y*: 15.62%

MAYM

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.49%
• YTD: 2.33%
• 6M: 2.86%
• 1Y: 6.36%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SPYM vs. MAYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	10.98%	15.68%
MAYM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May	2.33%	4.07%

Correlation

The correlation between SPYM and MAYM is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 20, 2025	0.85

The correlation between SPYM and MAYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SPYM vs. MAYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPYM

SPYM Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
SPYM Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SPYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPYM Martin Ratio Rank: 76

MAYM

MAYM Risk / Return Rank: 94
MAYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
MAYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
MAYM Omega Ratio Rank: 97
MAYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
MAYM Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

SPYM vs. MAYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May (MAYM). 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.

	SPYM	MAYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	3.47	-1.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	5.78	-2.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.91	-0.47
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	5.25	-2.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.76	36.95	-22.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPYM vs. MAYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPYM Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is lower than the MAYM Sharpe Ratio of 3.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPYM and MAYM, 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

	SPYM	MAYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39	3.47	-1.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	3.36	-2.74

Drawdowns

SPYM vs. MAYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPYM drawdown since its inception was -54.46%, which is greater than MAYM's maximum drawdown of -1.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPYM and MAYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPYM	MAYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.46%	-1.22%	-53.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-1.22%	-7.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.72%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.48%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-0.11%	-0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.15%	-0.08%	-7.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.91%	0.17%	+1.74%

Volatility

SPYM vs. MAYM - Volatility Comparison

State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) has a higher volatility of 2.83% compared to FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May (MAYM) at 0.34%. This indicates that SPYM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MAYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPYM	MAYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.83%	0.34%	+2.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.90%	1.49%	+7.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.80%	1.85%	+9.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.80%	1.87%	+14.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.00%	1.87%	+16.13%

SPYM vs. MAYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPYM has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than MAYM's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPYM vs. MAYM - Dividend Comparison

SPYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, while MAYM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MAYM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - May	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	1.13%	1.28%	1.44%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.79%	2.23%	1.75%	1.97%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPYM and MAYM in my portfolio?

SPYM and MAYM have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPYM or MAYM?

SPYM has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to MAYM (0.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPYM dropped -54.46% vs MAYM's -1.22%.

Which ETF is better, SPYM or MAYM?

On 1-year performance, SPYM leads with 28.09% vs 6.36% for MAYM. On fees, SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, MAYM has been the lower-risk option at 0.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPYM or MAYM?

Over the 1-year period, SPYM has performed better with a 28.09% return vs 6.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPYM or MAYM?

SPYM is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for MAYM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPYM or MAYM?

SPYM has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.00% for MAYM.

What is the main difference between SPYM and MAYM?

SPYM is categorized as S&P 500, while MAYM is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.02% for SPYM and 0.85% for MAYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MAYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.47 vs 2.39), 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.