⚠️ EC² Invest can make mistakes. Please double check information in this report.

State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF

SPTM:NYSE

equity ETF | passive | State Street Global Advisors | Tracks S&P Dow Jones Indices

Market Price
US$84.08 (26 Jan 2026)
+12.92% (YoY)
NAV
US$83.68
+0.48% Premium
Yield
1.13%
-8.13% (YoY)
Expense Ratio
3.00%
-93% vs Avg: 45.00%

Executive Summary

📊 The Bottom Line

This ETF tracks the S&P Composite 1500 Index, offering comprehensive exposure to large-, mid-, and small-capitalization U.S. equities. With an ultra-low 0.03% expense ratio and tight tracking, SPTM serves as an efficient core holding for broad market access. The bull case projects NAV reaching US$95.00 (+13%) on sustained earnings growth, while the bear case suggests US$75.00 (-10%) due to valuation concerns over 12-18 months.

⚖️ Risk vs Reward

The underlying holdings of SPTM currently trade at a P/E ratio of 28.65x, which is at the higher end of the S&P 500's typical historical range of 21.27x to 29.25x, and notably above its median of 17.99x. This elevated valuation, especially in the technology sector, poses a moderate risk. While the U.S. equity market has demonstrated resilience, a potential deceleration in growth or sustained high interest rates could trigger valuation compression. The diversified nature of SPTM helps mitigate single-stock risk, but the overall market sentiment and economic trajectory will largely dictate its risk-reward profile, with modest upside potential (bull case +13%) versus a more concentrated downside risk (bear case -10%) if market conditions deteriorate. [cite: 8, 13, previous output]

🚀 Why SPTM Could Soar

  • Sustained corporate earnings growth across large, mid, and small caps, particularly from resilient technology and consumer discretionary sectors, could drive further equity appreciation. [cite: 1, 8, previous output]
  • Improved economic outlook and a 'soft landing' scenario could lead to multiple expansion as investor confidence rises and a potential easing of monetary policy provides tailwinds. [cite: 13, previous output]
  • Continued strength in passive investing flows, especially into low-cost, broad-market ETFs like SPTM, ensures consistent demand and efficient pricing.
  • Favorable market conditions for the underlying holdings, including robust consumer spending and innovation, support the fund's growth potential.

⚠️ What Could Go Wrong

  • Persistent inflation or unexpected hawkish shifts by the Federal Reserve could lead to further valuation compression, especially for growth-oriented sectors. [cite: 13, previous output]
  • An economic downturn or recession impacting corporate earnings across all market caps would directly reduce the intrinsic value of the ETF's holdings. [cite: 21, previous output]
  • Geopolitical instability or unforeseen market shocks could trigger a broad market sell-off, impacting the fund's performance due to its diversified nature.

🏢 Fund Overview

What Are You Actually Buying

  • The S&P Composite 1500 Index, tracked by SPTM, provides broad exposure to the U.S. equity market, encompassing large-cap (S&P 500), mid-cap (S&P MidCap 400), and small-cap (S&P SmallCap 600) segments.
  • This index is float-adjusted market capitalization weighted, meaning larger companies have a proportionally greater impact on the fund's performance. It aims to capture approximately 90% of the investable U.S. equity market.
  • Companies within this index span all major sectors, including technology, financials, and consumer discretionary, offering a diversified representation of the American economy.

Market Dynamics & Outlook

  • U.S. equity markets are currently navigating a landscape of moderate economic growth, persistent but moderating inflation, and a cautiously optimistic outlook regarding interest rates. [cite: 19, previous output]
  • The technology sector, a significant component of the index, continues to drive market performance, although its elevated valuations warrant careful monitoring amidst ongoing innovation cycles. [cite: 8, previous output]
  • Broader market strength relies on consumer resilience and corporate adaptability to changing macroeconomic conditions, with potential for sector rotations based on economic data. [cite: 19, previous output]
  • The outlook suggests continued volatility, but with underlying fundamental strengths in many U.S. companies, offering potential for long-term growth, albeit at a slower pace than recent peaks.

🎯 Why This Matters

SPTM offers a simple and low-cost way to gain diversified exposure to the entire spectrum of the U.S. equity market. Understanding the current market dynamics, particularly valuation levels and sector-specific drivers, is crucial for investors evaluating this comprehensive market access point for their portfolios.

📈 Valuation & Analysis

Historical Performance

YTD
+1.43%
1Y
+13.92%
Yearly Growth (3Y)
+20.94%
Yearly Growth (5Y)
+13.87%
Yearly Growth (10Y)
+15.56%
Yearly Growth (Since Inception)
+8.50%

Current Valuation

The SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF's underlying holdings currently trade at an aggregate Price/Earnings (P/E) ratio of 28.65x. This is positioned at the upper end of the S&P 500's typical historical range of 21.27x to 29.25x and significantly above its long-term median of 17.99x, suggesting that the market is pricing in strong future growth expectations. The Price/Book (P/B) ratio for the S&P 500, a close proxy for SPTM, stands at 5.44x, which is also above its historical median of 2.88x. [cite: 8, 10, 13, previous output] The current dividend yield for SPTM is 1.13%. While these valuation metrics indicate a richly valued market compared to historical averages, they reflect a period of strong corporate profitability and investor confidence in U.S. equities. Investors should consider these elevated valuations against the backdrop of potential earnings growth and macroeconomic stability.

The Bull Case - Upside to

Robust Corporate Earnings Drive Market Higher

Medium Probability

If U.S. corporate earnings growth continues to outperform expectations (e.g., 10-12% year-over-year for the S&P 1500), the broad market could see an additional 10-15% price appreciation, pushing SPTM's NAV to around US$95.00.

Soft Landing and Federal Reserve Policy Easing

Medium Probability

A 'soft landing' for the economy coupled with anticipated interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve could lead to multiple expansion across equities, contributing to a 8-10% upside for the fund. [cite: 13, previous output]

Strong Inflows into Passive U.S. Equity ETFs

Probability

Persistent investor demand for low-cost, diversified U.S. equity exposure, exemplified by significant inflows into passive ETFs, could provide a supportive bid for SPTM, adding 3-5% to its market price through enhanced liquidity and slight premium.

The Bear Case - Downside to

Unexpected Economic Downturn or Recession

Low Probability

A sharper-than-expected economic slowdown or recession could lead to a 15-20% decline in corporate earnings, potentially causing a 10-15% drop in SPTM's NAV to approximately US$75.00. [cite: 21, previous output]

Persistent Inflation and Higher-for-Longer Rates

Medium Probability

If inflation remains elevated, forcing the Federal Reserve to maintain higher interest rates, it could trigger valuation compression, particularly for growth stocks, leading to a 7-10% decline in the fund's value. [cite: 13, previous output]

Increased Geopolitical Instability

Probability

Escalating geopolitical tensions could introduce significant market uncertainty and risk-off sentiment, resulting in a broad market correction of 5-8% that would directly impact SPTM.

Risk/Reward Assessment

Considering the current market landscape, SPTM presents a balanced risk-reward profile, leaning slightly towards measured optimism. The bull case highlights the potential for continued upside driven by resilient corporate earnings and a favorable monetary policy environment. However, this is tempered by current elevated valuations, which leave less room for error. Should a 'soft landing' materialize, the fund could see double-digit returns. Conversely, the bear case outlines risks from economic downturns or sustained inflationary pressures. While the diversification inherent in SPTM mitigates extreme single-stock risk, its broad market exposure means it is not immune to systemic shocks. Investors should weigh the probability of a mild recession or prolonged inflation, which could lead to a modest but notable pullback. For long-term investors seeking comprehensive U.S. equity exposure, SPTM remains a solid foundation, but tactical adjustments may be warranted in periods of heightened uncertainty.

Peer Comparison

SPTM offers a highly compelling value proposition within the U.S. total stock market ETF category due to its ultra-low expense ratio, consistent with the cheapest offerings from Vanguard and iShares. It provides broad diversification across market capitalizations, covering approximately 90% of U.S. market capitalization. While its AUM is smaller than some mega-cap peers, SPTM maintains excellent liquidity for efficient trading. Its historical performance has been competitive, with strong risk-adjusted returns over various periods. The key differentiating factor is its precise S&P 1500 index methodology, offering a slightly different blend of large, mid, and small-cap exposure compared to some peers that track alternative total market indices.
FundExpense RatioAUM (B)1Y Return3Y Return5Y ReturnYield
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM)3.00%US$12.1B13.92%20.94%13.87%1.13%
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)3.00%US$567.0B16.06%21.00%14.00%1.11%
iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT)3.00%US$43.7B15.50%20.50%13.50%1.10%
Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (SCHB)3.00%US$38.0B15.81%20.80%13.90%1.11%

🎯 Why This Matters

Evaluating SPTM's valuation and performance against its peers highlights its position as a highly competitive and cost-effective option for broad U.S. equity exposure. The consistent returns and low expense ratio make it an attractive choice for long-term investors, but understanding its specific index construction and market dynamics is key to aligning it with individual investment goals.

📊 Appendix

Top 10 Holdings (80+ of ETF Value)

#TickerLogoNameSectorWeight
1NVDA
N
NVIDIA CorpTechnology7.0%
2AAPL
A
Apple IncTechnology5.7%
3MSFT
M
Microsoft CorpTechnology5.2%
4AMZN
A
Amazon.com IncConsumer Cyclical3.5%
5GOOGL
A
Alphabet Inc Class ACommunication Services3.0%
6GOOG
A
Alphabet Inc Class CCommunication Services2.4%
7AVGO
B
Broadcom IncTechnology2.4%
8META
M
Meta Platforms Inc Class ACommunication Services2.2%
9TSLA
T
Tesla IncConsumer Cyclical2.0%
10BRK.B
B
Berkshire Hathaway Inc Class BFinancials1.4%

Fund Mechanics

How It Works

The State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) is a passively managed exchange-traded fund designed to provide comprehensive exposure to the U.S. equity market. The fund's investment objective is to correspond generally to the total return performance of the S&P Composite 1500 Index. This index is a broad market benchmark that combines the S&P 500 (large-cap), S&P MidCap 400 (mid-cap), and S&P SmallCap 600 (small-cap) indices, covering approximately 90% of the U.S. market capitalization. SPTM employs a 'replication method,' typically optimized sampling, where it invests in a subset of the index's securities to approximate the index's characteristics and performance. The index is float-adjusted market capitalization weighted and rebalanced on a quarterly basis. Constituents are added and removed as needed due to corporate actions or market developments, rather than on a fixed reconstitution schedule. The fund may also utilize futures contracts to manage its exposure.

Holdings Breakdown

Number of Holdings
1510
Top 10 Concentration
3482.0%
Top 20 Concentration
4500.0%
Turnover Rate
200%
CategoryWeightDescription
Information Technology31.9%
Financials13.3%
Consumer Discretionary10.8%
Communication Services9.9%
Industrials9.8%
Health Care9.7%
Consumer Staples4.8%
Energy3.1%
Materials2.3%
Utilities2.2%

Cost Efficiency

Expense Ratio
3.00%
Median Bid-Ask Spread
1.190%
Expense Ratio History
YearExpense Ratio
20253.00%
20243.00%
20233.00%

Performance History

YearETF ReturnBenchmark ReturnTracking DiffVolatilityMax DrawdownSharpe Ratio
202516.90%17.88%-0.98%N/AN/AN/A
202423.90%25.02%-1.12%N/AN/AN/A
202325.50%26.29%-0.79%N/AN/AN/A
2022-17.70%-18.11%0.41%N/AN/AN/A
202128.50%28.71%-0.21%N/AN/AN/A
Annualized Return Since Inception
8.50%

Detailed Peer Comparison

TickerNameIssuerExp RatioAUM (B)1Y3Y5YYieldStdDev 3YSharpe 3YSpread
SPTMState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETFState Street Global Advisors3.00%US$12.1B13.9%20.9%13.9%1.13%15.00%1.051.000%
VTIVanguard Total Stock Market ETFVanguard3.00%US$567.0B16.1%21.0%14.0%1.11%14.80%1.101.000%
ITOTiShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETFBlackRock3.00%US$43.7B15.5%20.5%13.5%1.10%15.20%1.002.000%
SCHBSchwab U.S. Broad Market ETFCharles Schwab3.00%US$38.0B15.8%20.8%13.9%1.11%14.90%1.081.000%
Category Average3.00%15.3%20.8%13.8%1.11%1.06

Risk Metrics

Beta
1.01

Standard Deviation

1 Year3 Years5 Years10 Years
15.50%15.00%15.50%16.00%

Sharpe Ratio

1Y3Y5Y10Y
0.771.050.790.85

Sortino Ratio

3 Years5 Years
N/AN/A

Maximum Drawdown

1 Year3 Years5 YearsSince Inception
-7.99%-8.75%-23.64%-50.23%

Correlations

S&P 500
0.99

Liquidity & Trading

Volume

Avg Daily Shares
834,080
Avg Daily Dollar Volume
US$70.1M
Trend
increasing

Bid-Ask Spread

MetricValue
Median (Percent)1.190%
Median (Dollar)US$0.01
During HoursN/A
At CloseN/A
Volatilitylow

Premium/Discount to NAV

MetricValue
Current48.37%
30-Day Average5.00%
1-Year Average5.00%
Standard Deviation3.00%
Max Premium (1Y)10.00%
Max Discount (1Y)-10.00%

Creation/Redemption Activity

Trend
Not readily available
Net Flows
PeriodNet Flow
1 MonthUS$-0.0M
1 YearUS$-0.0M

⚠️ Disclaimer: This ETF research report is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell securities. EC² Invest is not a registered investment advisor. All data is sourced from public sources and may contain errors. Past performance does not guarantee future results. ETF investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.