XME vs. SPYM

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

XME (SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF) and SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XME is a Materials fund tracking the S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index, while SPYM is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XME returned 18.97%/yr vs 15.78%/yr for SPYM. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XME charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SPYM.

Performance

XME vs. SPYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XME achieves a 11.35% return, which is significantly higher than SPYM's 9.79% return. Over the past 10 years, XME has outperformed SPYM with an annualized return of 18.97%, while SPYM has yielded a comparatively lower 15.78% annualized return.

XME

• 1D: -1.47%
• 1M: -1.51%
• YTD: 11.35%
• 6M: 7.66%
• 1Y: 76.71%
• 3Y*: 34.03%
• 5Y*: 23.02%
• 10Y*: 18.97%

SPYM

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 9.79%
• 6M: 9.30%
• 1Y: 26.75%
• 3Y*: 21.36%
• 5Y*: 13.59%
• 10Y*: 15.78%

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

XME vs. SPYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XME SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF	11.35%	83.47%	-4.54%	21.51%	13.13%	34.92%	15.95%	14.69%	-26.78%	21.17%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	9.79%	17.79%	25.00%	26.24%	-18.09%	28.78%	18.49%	31.99%	-4.78%	21.30%

Correlation

The correlation between XME and SPYM is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2006	0.57

The correlation between XME and SPYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

XME vs. SPYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XME	SPYM
Basic Materials	76.3%	1.8%
Energy	22.5%	3.1%
Technology	2.2%	38.0%
Consumer Defensive	0.8%	4.6%
Industrials	0.4%	8.0%
Communication Services	-	10.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.4%
Financial Services	-	11.9%
Healthcare	-	8.5%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	2.6%

Return for Risk

XME vs. SPYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

XME

XME Risk / Return Rank: 60
XME Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
XME Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
XME Omega Ratio Rank: 56
XME Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
XME Martin Ratio Rank: 50

SPYM

SPYM Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SPYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
SPYM Omega Ratio Rank: 69
SPYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPYM 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.

XME vs. SPYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). 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.

	XME	SPYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	2.17	-0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	2.93	-0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.39	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.41	3.02	+0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.38	13.57	-5.20

XME vs. SPYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XME Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is comparable to the SPYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XME and SPYM, 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

XME vs. SPYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XME drawdown since its inception was -85.89%, which is greater than SPYM's maximum drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XME and SPYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	XME	SPYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-85.89%	-54.46%	-31.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.60%	-8.90%	-13.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.47%	-18.72%	-11.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.27%	-24.48%	-12.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.69%	-33.87%	-27.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.20%	-1.73%	-11.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-44.06%	-7.14%	-36.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.19%	1.98%	+7.21%

Volatility

XME vs. SPYM - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) has a higher volatility of 13.87% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) at 4.61%. This indicates that XME's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XME	SPYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.87%	4.61%	+9.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.09%	9.74%	+18.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.21%	12.39%	+23.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.72%	16.89%	+15.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.93%	18.05%	+14.88%

XME vs. SPYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

XME has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYM's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

XME vs. SPYM - Dividend Comparison

XME's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%, less than SPYM's 1.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	1.28%	1.13%	1.28%	1.44%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.79%	2.23%	1.75%	1.97%	1.98%
XME SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF	0.40%	0.38%	0.65%	1.00%	1.64%	0.70%	0.99%	2.43%	2.23%	1.15%	1.02%	2.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XME and SPYM in my portfolio?

XME and SPYM have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XME or SPYM?

XME has higher volatility (13.87%) compared to SPYM (4.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XME dropped -85.89% vs SPYM's -54.46%.

Which ETF is better, XME or SPYM?

On 10-year performance, XME leads with 18.97% vs 15.78% for SPYM. On fees, SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, SPYM has been the lower-risk option at 4.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XME or SPYM?

Over the 10-year period, XME has performed better with a 18.97% return vs 15.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XME or SPYM?

SPYM is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XME.

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

SPYM has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 0.40% for XME.

What is the main difference between XME and SPYM?

XME is categorized as Materials, while SPYM is S&P 500. XME tracks S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index, while SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XME and 0.02% for SPYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 2.13), 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.