GAL vs. VOO
GAL (SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GAL is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by State Street, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. GAL is actively managed, while VOO is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GAL returned 8.25%/yr vs 15.61%/yr for VOO. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GAL charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.
Performance
GAL vs. VOO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GAL achieves a 7.11% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 8.19% return. Over the past 10 years, GAL has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 8.25%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.61% annualized return.
GAL
- 1D
- -1.50%
- 1M
- -0.51%
- YTD
- 7.11%
- 6M
- 6.63%
- 1Y
- 17.25%
- 3Y*
- 13.27%
- 5Y*
- 6.68%
- 10Y*
- 8.25%
VOO
- 1D
- -1.42%
- 1M
- -1.34%
- YTD
- 8.19%
- 6M
- 7.24%
- 1Y
- 23.69%
- 3Y*
- 20.78%
- 5Y*
- 13.13%
- 10Y*
- 15.61%
GAL vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GAL SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF | 7.11% | 15.95% | 9.85% | 13.32% | -13.41% | 12.23% | 9.33% | 19.59% | -7.71% | 18.67% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 8.19% | 17.82% | 24.98% | 26.32% | -18.17% | 28.79% | 18.32% | 31.37% | -4.50% | 21.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between GAL and VOO is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.91 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.87 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 26, 2012 | 0.85 |
The correlation between GAL and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GAL vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank
GAL
VOO
GAL vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF (GAL) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.
| GAL | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.35 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.76 | 2.67 | +0.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.45 | 11.96 | -0.51 |
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Drawdowns
GAL vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GAL drawdown since its inception was -28.31%, smaller than the maximum VOO drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAL and VOO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GAL | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -28.31% | -33.99% | +5.68% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.27% | -8.90% | +2.63% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -9.12% | -18.69% | +9.57% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.14% | -24.52% | +3.38% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.31% | -33.99% | +5.68% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.04% | -3.14% | +1.10% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.73% | -3.68% | -0.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.51% | 1.99% | -0.48% |
Volatility
GAL vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF (GAL) is 3.74%, while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a volatility of 4.83%. This indicates that GAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GAL | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.74% | 4.83% | -1.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.70% | 9.82% | -2.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.33% | 12.46% | -3.13% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.52% | 16.91% | -6.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.39% | 18.02% | -6.63% |
GAL vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison
GAL has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
GAL vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison
GAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.17%, more than VOO's 1.05% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GAL SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF | 3.17% | 3.47% | 2.99% | 2.56% | 6.19% | 4.05% | 2.14% | 2.96% | 2.43% | 2.26% | 2.43% | 3.10% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 1.05% | 1.13% | 1.24% | 1.46% | 1.69% | 1.25% | 1.54% | 1.88% | 2.06% | 1.78% | 2.02% | 2.10% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.91, GAL and VOO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VOO has higher volatility (4.83%) compared to GAL (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAL dropped -28.31% vs VOO's -33.99%.
On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 15.61% vs 8.25% for GAL. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, GAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VOO has performed better with a 15.61% return vs 8.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for GAL.
GAL has the higher dividend yield at 3.17%, compared with 1.05% for VOO.
GAL is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while VOO is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for GAL and 0.03% for VOO.
VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.86), 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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