^GSPC vs. VWO
^GSPC (S&P 500 Index) is an index, while VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) is Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index. Over the past 10 years, ^GSPC returned 13.61%/yr vs 9.00%/yr for VWO. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.
Performance
^GSPC vs. VWO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ^GSPC achieves a 8.56% return, which is significantly lower than VWO's 10.77% return. Over the past 10 years, ^GSPC has outperformed VWO with an annualized return of 13.61%, while VWO has yielded a comparatively lower 9.00% annualized return.
^GSPC
- 1D
- 0.50%
- 1M
- -0.93%
- YTD
- 8.56%
- 6M
- 8.85%
- 1Y
- 24.33%
- 3Y*
- 19.37%
- 5Y*
- 11.84%
- 10Y*
- 13.61%
VWO
- 1D
- 0.76%
- 1M
- -0.68%
- YTD
- 10.77%
- 6M
- 12.57%
- 1Y
- 26.52%
- 3Y*
- 16.61%
- 5Y*
- 5.03%
- 10Y*
- 9.00%
^GSPC vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
^GSPC S&P 500 Index | 8.56% | 16.39% | 23.31% | 24.23% | -19.44% | 26.89% | 16.26% | 28.88% | -6.24% | 19.42% |
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 10.77% | 25.60% | 10.59% | 9.25% | -17.98% | 1.26% | 15.17% | 20.75% | -14.76% | 31.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between ^GSPC and VWO is 0.75, 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 | 0.75 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.67 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2005 | 0.74 |
The correlation between ^GSPC and VWO shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (5 years) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
^GSPC vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank
^GSPC
VWO
^GSPC vs. VWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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.
| ^GSPC | VWO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.37 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.44 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.28 | +0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.53 | 2.21 | +0.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.37 | 7.80 | +3.57 |
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Drawdowns
^GSPC vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ^GSPC drawdown since its inception was -56.78%, smaller than the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^GSPC and VWO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ^GSPC | VWO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -56.78% | -67.68% | +10.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.10% | -11.17% | +2.07% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.90% | -17.37% | -1.53% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.43% | -32.60% | +7.17% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.92% | -36.39% | +2.47% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.34% | -2.68% | +0.34% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.72% | -15.80% | +5.08% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.02% | 3.17% | -1.15% |
Volatility
^GSPC vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) is 4.43%, while Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) has a volatility of 6.64%. This indicates that ^GSPC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ^GSPC | VWO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.43% | 6.64% | -2.21% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.70% | 14.04% | -4.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.38% | 16.54% | -4.16% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.97% | 17.48% | -0.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.09% | 19.22% | -1.13% |
Frequently Asked Questions
^GSPC and VWO have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VWO has higher volatility (6.64%) compared to ^GSPC (4.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^GSPC dropped -56.78% vs VWO's -67.68%.
^GSPC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.49), 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.
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