XMAG vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

XMAG (Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XMAG is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the BITA US 500 ex Magnificent 7 Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, XMAG returned 26.46% vs 26.65% for SPY. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XMAG charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

XMAG vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF (XMAG) 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, XMAG achieves a 14.08% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return.

XMAG

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 4.21%
• YTD: 14.08%
• 6M: 13.61%
• 1Y: 26.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

XMAG vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XMAG Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF	14.08%	15.63%	-1.52%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	0.76%

Correlation

The correlation between XMAG and SPY is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2024	0.88

The correlation between XMAG and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

XMAG vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XMAG	SPY
Technology	29.0%	39.0%
Financial Services	16.7%	11.1%
Healthcare	12.6%	8.3%
Industrials	12.1%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	6.9%	4.5%
Consumer Cyclical	5.5%	9.9%
Energy	4.7%	3.1%
Utilities	3.8%	2.1%
Communication Services	3.2%	10.6%
Real Estate	2.7%	1.8%
Basic Materials	2.5%	1.7%

Return for Risk

XMAG vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

XMAG

XMAG Risk / Return Rank: 75
XMAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
XMAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
XMAG Omega Ratio Rank: 71
XMAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
XMAG Martin Ratio Rank: 83

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

XMAG vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF (XMAG) 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.

	XMAG	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	2.16	+0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.25	2.91	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.39	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.65	3.01	+0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.05	13.54	+2.51

XMAG vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XMAG Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XMAG 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

XMAG vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XMAG drawdown since its inception was -16.17%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XMAG and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	XMAG	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.17%	-55.19%	+39.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.29%	-8.88%	+1.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.75%	+1.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.09%	-9.04%	+6.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.65%	1.97%	-0.32%

Volatility

XMAG vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF (XMAG) is 4.19%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.64%. This indicates that XMAG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XMAG	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.19%	4.64%	-0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.17%	9.75%	-0.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.65%	12.43%	-0.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.18%	17.14%	-1.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.18%	17.99%	-2.81%

XMAG vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

XMAG has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

XMAG vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

XMAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
XMAG Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF	0.45%	0.51%	0.24%	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 XMAG and SPY in my portfolio?

XMAG and SPY have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XMAG or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to XMAG (4.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XMAG dropped -16.17% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, XMAG or SPY?

On 1-year performance, SPY leads with 26.65% vs 26.46% for XMAG. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, XMAG has been the lower-risk option at 4.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XMAG or SPY?

Over the 1-year period, SPY has performed better with a 26.65% return vs 26.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XMAG or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XMAG.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.45% for XMAG.

What is the main difference between XMAG and SPY?

XMAG is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. XMAG tracks BITA US 500 ex Magnificent 7 Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XMAG and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XMAG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 2.16), 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.