SLY vs SPSM
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap ETF vs State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF
Which is better, SLY or SPSM?
Nearly the same fund. SPSM costs less.
SPSM has a lower expense ratio. SLY led over the full window, SPSM over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SLY | SPSM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $15.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.62% | 1.56% |
| Holdings | 605 | 610 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.5%Best | 19.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -44.5% | -44.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 9.9 years | $24,205Best | $19,867 |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 8, 2005 | Jul 8, 2013 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 1223 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SLY has data through Jun 9, 2023 and SPSM through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 9.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 9, 2013 to Jun 9, 2023 (9.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% compared with 19.5% for SLY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -44.5% for SLY and -44.4% for SPSM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SLY charges 0.15% per year while SPSM charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SLY currently yields 1.62% against 1.56% for SPSM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SLY and SPSM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SLY or SPSM?
SLY has an expense ratio of 0.15% while SPSM charges 0.03%. SPSM is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SLY or SPSM?
SPSM has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 19.5% for SLY. Worst drawdown: SLY -44.5% vs SPSM -44.4%.
Should I hold both SLY and SPSM?
SLY and SPSM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SLY or SPSM?
SLY yields 1.62% while SPSM yields 1.56%, so SLY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPSM better than SLY?
SPSM has a lower expense ratio. SLY led over the full window, SPSM over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.