TMFS vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TMFS (Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TMFS is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Motley Fool, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. TMFS is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, TMFS returned -2.26%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for SPY. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TMFS charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

TMFS vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF (TMFS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TMFS achieves a -0.78% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 8.15% return.

TMFS

• 1D: -1.17%
• 1M: 0.84%
• YTD: -0.78%
• 6M: -4.22%
• 1Y: -1.24%
• 3Y*: 7.66%
• 5Y*: -2.26%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

TMFS vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
TMFS Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF	-0.78%	-1.59%	15.41%	25.40%	-33.15%	-2.38%	58.52%	40.19%	-6.14%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.73%

Correlation

The correlation between TMFS and SPY is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 30, 2018	0.76

The correlation between TMFS and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.77 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

TMFS vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TMFS	SPY
Technology	24.4%	39.0%
Industrials	23.8%	7.8%
Healthcare	20.7%	8.3%
Financial Services	13.2%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	6.7%	9.9%
Real Estate	5.5%	1.8%
Energy	3.1%	3.1%
Basic Materials	2.5%	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	4.5%
Communication Services	-	10.6%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

TMFS vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

TMFS

TMFS Risk / Return Rank: 8
TMFS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
TMFS Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
TMFS Omega Ratio Rank: 8
TMFS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
TMFS Martin Ratio Rank: 8

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

TMFS vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF (TMFS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	TMFS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.06	1.90	-1.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.06	2.58	-2.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.34	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.08	2.67	-2.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.21	11.92	-12.13

TMFS vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TMFS Sharpe Ratio is -0.06, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TMFS and SPY, 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

TMFS vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TMFS drawdown since its inception was -48.79%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TMFS and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	TMFS	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.79%	-55.19%	+6.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.73%	-8.88%	-6.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.05%	-18.76%	-8.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.68%	-24.50%	-21.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.61%	-3.17%	-16.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.47%	-9.04%	-10.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.91%	1.98%	+3.93%

Volatility

TMFS vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF (TMFS) has a higher volatility of 5.81% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that TMFS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TMFS	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.81%	4.87%	+0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.28%	9.85%	+4.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.01%	12.50%	+7.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.01%	17.15%	+5.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.50%	17.95%	+7.55%

TMFS vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

TMFS has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

TMFS vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

TMFS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
TMFS Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.34%	2.37%	5.57%	2.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TMFS and SPY in my portfolio?

TMFS and SPY have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TMFS or SPY?

TMFS has higher volatility (5.81%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TMFS dropped -48.79% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, TMFS or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.05% vs -2.26% for TMFS. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TMFS or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.05% return vs -2.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TMFS or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for TMFS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TMFS or SPY?

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.00% for TMFS.

What is the main difference between TMFS and SPY?

TMFS is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Motley Fool and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for TMFS and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs -0.06), 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.