STXK vs. SPSM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

STXK (Strive Small-Cap ETF) and SPSM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - STXK tracks the Bloomberg US 600 Index - Benchmark TR Gross while SPSM tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, STXK returned 13.79%/yr vs 14.54%/yr for SPSM. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. STXK charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPSM.

Performance

STXK vs. SPSM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strive Small-Cap ETF (STXK) 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, STXK achieves a 16.87% return, which is significantly lower than SPSM's 23.56% return.

STXK

• 1D: 1.52%
• 1M: 0.70%
• 6M: 10.79%
• YTD: 16.87%
• 1Y: 29.03%
• 3Y*: 13.79%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.48%

SPSM

• 1D: 1.63%
• 1M: 0.95%
• 6M: 15.76%
• YTD: 23.56%
• 1Y: 38.23%
• 3Y*: 14.54%
• 5Y*: 8.14%
• 10Y*: 10.87%
• ALL TIME*: 10.18%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	$90.04M	$96.96M	$95.31M
STXK Strive Small-Cap ETF	$405.30K	$275.09K	$260.42K

STXK vs. SPSM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
STXK Strive Small-Cap ETF	16.87%	7.82%	9.47%	20.15%	-3.32%
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	23.56%	6.11%	8.55%	16.11%	0.42%

Correlation

The correlation between STXK and SPSM is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 10, 2022	0.97

The correlation between STXK and SPSM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

STXK vs. SPSM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	STXK	SPSM
Technology	17.3%	15.5%
Financial Services	15.8%	17.1%
Industrials	15.0%	15.6%
Healthcare	13.8%	12.4%
Consumer Cyclical	13.4%	13.2%
Real Estate	7.2%	7.6%
Energy	5.6%	4.7%
Basic Materials	4.2%	4.7%
Utilities	2.9%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	4.2%
Communication Services	2.1%	3.2%

Return for Risk

STXK vs. SPSM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

STXK

STXK Risk / Return Rank: 73
STXK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
STXK Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
STXK Omega Ratio Rank: 66
STXK Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
STXK Martin Ratio Rank: 77

SPSM

SPSM Risk / Return Rank: 90
SPSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
SPSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SPSM Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SPSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
SPSM Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

STXK vs. SPSM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strive Small-Cap ETF (STXK) 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.

	STXK	SPSM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	2.23	-0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	3.23	-0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.39	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	4.40	-1.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.46	15.10	-4.64

STXK vs. SPSM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STXK Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is comparable to the SPSM Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STXK 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

STXK vs. SPSM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STXK drawdown since its inception was -27.12%, smaller than the maximum SPSM drawdown of -42.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STXK and SPSM.

Drawdown Indicators

	STXK	SPSM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.12%	-42.89%	+15.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.81%	-8.72%	-1.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.12%	-27.94%	+0.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.94%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	-0.31%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.40%	-7.84%	+2.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	2.54%	+0.24%

Volatility

STXK vs. SPSM - Volatility Comparison

Strive Small-Cap ETF (STXK) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) have volatilities of 3.82% and 3.75%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STXK	SPSM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.82%	3.75%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.63%	11.70%	-0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.68%	17.24%	-0.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.92%	21.29%	-1.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.92%	22.95%	-3.03%

STXK vs. SPSM - Expense Ratio Comparison

STXK has a 0.18% 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

STXK vs. SPSM - Dividend Comparison

STXK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.13%, less than SPSM's 1.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
STXK Strive Small-Cap ETF	1.13%	1.29%	1.64%	1.14%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STXK and SPSM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, STXK and SPSM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, STXK or SPSM?

STXK has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to SPSM (3.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STXK dropped -27.12% vs SPSM's -42.89%.

Which ETF is better, STXK or SPSM?

On 3-year performance, SPSM leads with 14.54% vs 13.79% for STXK. On fees, SPSM is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, STXK or SPSM?

Over the 3-year period, SPSM has performed better with a 14.54% return vs 13.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, STXK or SPSM?

SPSM is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for STXK.

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

SPSM has the higher dividend yield at 1.37%, compared with 1.13% for STXK.

What is the main difference between STXK and SPSM?

STXK tracks Bloomberg US 600 Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while SPSM tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index. They also come from different issuers: Strive and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for STXK and 0.03% for SPSM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPSM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 1.75), 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.