FMF vs SPY
First Trust Managed Futures Strategy Fund vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FMF or SPY?
Market Neutral Strategy against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | FMF | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.98% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $274M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 10 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +11.15% | +12.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.37% | +17.51%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.28% | +21.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.63% | +12.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.3%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.8%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,150 | $18,327Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Market Neutral Strategy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 1, 2013 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 2, 2013 to Sep 11, 2026 (13.1 years).
FMF vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
FMF vs SPY Performance
First Trust Managed Futures Strategy Fund (FMF) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year FMF returned +14.37% while SPY returned +17.51%. Year to date, FMF is up 11.15% versus a gain of 12.47% for SPY.
Over three years, FMF compounded at +6.28% per year against +21.18% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +5.63% and +12.88% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.74% annualized vs +1.70%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 7.3% for FMF. 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 -24.8% for FMF and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.07. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FMF charges 0.98% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $98 vs $9 annually, a gap of $89 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FMF currently yields 5.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FMF and SPY 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, FMF or SPY?
FMF has an expense ratio of 0.98% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $89 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FMF or SPY?
Over the past year FMF returned +14.37% vs +17.51% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FMF annualized +1.70% vs +12.74% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FMF or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 7.3% for FMF. Worst drawdown: FMF -24.8% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both FMF and SPY?
FMF and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.07, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FMF or SPY?
FMF yields 5.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so FMF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FMF?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.