WK vs. SPMD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WK (Workiva Inc.) is a stock, while SPMD (SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF) is Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Over the past 10 years, WK returned 13.64%/yr vs 11.51%/yr for SPMD. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

WK vs. SPMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Workiva Inc. (WK) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WK achieves a -42.21% return, which is significantly lower than SPMD's 14.16% return. Over the past 10 years, WK has outperformed SPMD with an annualized return of 13.64%, while SPMD has yielded a comparatively lower 11.51% annualized return.

WK

• 1D: -4.04%
• 1M: -11.91%
• YTD: -42.21%
• 6M: -45.87%
• 1Y: -27.56%
• 3Y*: -20.31%
• 5Y*: -11.51%
• 10Y*: 13.64%

SPMD

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 3.86%
• YTD: 14.16%
• 6M: 14.41%
• 1Y: 25.49%
• 3Y*: 16.15%
• 5Y*: 8.20%
• 10Y*: 11.51%

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

WK vs. SPMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WK Workiva Inc.	-42.21%	-21.23%	7.85%	20.91%	-35.65%	42.43%	117.88%	17.16%	67.71%	56.78%
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF	14.16%	7.44%	13.91%	16.48%	-13.13%	24.76%	13.46%	25.19%	-10.34%	15.12%

Correlation

The correlation between WK and SPMD is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2014	0.43

Over the past year, the correlation between WK and SPMD has dropped to 0.16 - well below their long-term average of 0.43, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

WK vs. SPMD — Risk / Return Rank

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

WK

WK Risk / Return Rank: 18
WK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
WK Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
WK Omega Ratio Rank: 18
WK Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
WK Martin Ratio Rank: 15

SPMD

SPMD Risk / Return Rank: 51
SPMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
SPMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SPMD Omega Ratio Rank: 45
SPMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
SPMD Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

WK vs. SPMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Workiva Inc. (WK) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD). 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.

	WK	SPMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.53	1.65	-2.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.63	2.41	-3.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.29	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.53	2.89	-3.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.19	10.61	-11.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WK vs. SPMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WK Sharpe Ratio is -0.53, which is lower than the SPMD Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WK and SPMD, 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

	WK	SPMD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.53	1.65	-2.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.25	0.42	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31	0.55	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.45	-0.18

Drawdowns

WK vs. SPMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WK drawdown since its inception was -72.45%, which is greater than SPMD's maximum drawdown of -57.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WK and SPMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	WK	SPMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-72.45%	-57.62%	-14.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-52.51%	-8.86%	-43.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-61.40%	-24.08%	-37.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-72.45%	-24.08%	-48.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-72.45%	-41.86%	-30.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-69.01%	-0.08%	-68.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.39%	-8.12%	-18.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	23.20%	2.41%	+20.79%

Volatility

WK vs. SPMD - Volatility Comparison

Workiva Inc. (WK) has a higher volatility of 19.77% compared to SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD) at 4.38%. This indicates that WK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WK	SPMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.77%	4.38%	+15.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	32.37%	11.37%	+21.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.84%	15.57%	+36.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	45.89%	19.70%	+26.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	43.52%	21.18%	+22.34%

Dividends

WK vs. SPMD - Dividend Comparison

WK has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPMD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.23%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF	1.23%	1.39%	1.42%	1.47%	1.64%	1.24%	1.30%	1.57%	1.85%	1.97%	2.13%	5.33%
WK Workiva Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WK and SPMD in my portfolio?

WK and SPMD have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WK or SPMD?

WK has higher volatility (19.77%) compared to SPMD (4.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WK dropped -72.45% vs SPMD's -57.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 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.