^SP600 vs. VGT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

^SP600 (S&P 600) is an index, while VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) is Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, ^SP600 returned 9.11%/yr vs 25.78%/yr for VGT. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

^SP600 vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in S&P 600 (^SP600) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^SP600 achieves a 15.58% return, which is significantly lower than VGT's 31.64% return. Over the past 10 years, ^SP600 has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of 9.11%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 25.78% annualized return.

^SP600

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: 1.41%
• YTD: 15.58%
• 6M: 15.88%
• 1Y: 32.63%
• 3Y*: 12.81%
• 5Y*: 4.20%
• 10Y*: 9.11%

VGT

• 1D: -1.48%
• 1M: 18.07%
• YTD: 31.64%
• 6M: 30.51%
• 1Y: 60.15%
• 3Y*: 33.48%
• 5Y*: 22.23%
• 10Y*: 25.78%

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

^SP600 vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^SP600 S&P 600	15.58%	4.23%	6.82%	13.89%	-17.42%	25.27%	9.57%	20.86%	-9.75%	11.73%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	31.64%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Correlation

The correlation between ^SP600 and VGT is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.73

The correlation between ^SP600 and VGT shifts across timeframes, from 0.55 (1 year) to 0.73 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

^SP600 vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

^SP600

^SP600 Risk / Return Rank: 71
^SP600 Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
^SP600 Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
^SP600 Omega Ratio Rank: 62
^SP600 Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
^SP600 Martin Ratio Rank: 76

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 76
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

^SP600 vs. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for S&P 600 (^SP600) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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.

	^SP600	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	2.95	-1.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	3.63	-0.92
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.47	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.59	3.69	-0.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.00	11.77	+0.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^SP600 vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^SP600 Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is lower than the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 2.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^SP600 and VGT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	^SP600	VGT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	2.95	-1.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.89	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39	1.05	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.68	-0.23

Drawdowns

^SP600 vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^SP600 drawdown since its inception was -59.17%, which is greater than VGT's maximum drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^SP600 and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	^SP600	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.17%	-54.63%	-4.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-16.40%	+7.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.39%	-27.23%	-1.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.39%	-35.07%	+6.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.77%	-35.07%	-10.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.07%	-1.48%	+1.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.28%	-7.95%	-1.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	5.13%	-2.46%

Volatility

^SP600 vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for S&P 600 (^SP600) is 4.49%, while Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has a volatility of 6.39%. This indicates that ^SP600 experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^SP600	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	6.39%	-1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.71%	16.07%	-4.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.56%	20.57%	-3.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.46%	25.18%	-3.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.20%	24.60%	-1.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ^SP600 and VGT in my portfolio?

^SP600 and VGT have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ^SP600 or VGT?

VGT has higher volatility (6.39%) compared to ^SP600 (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^SP600 dropped -59.17% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.95 vs 1.87), 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.