SPFFX vs. VSTSX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SPFFX (Sphere 500 Fossil Free Fund) and VSTSX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 3 years, SPFFX returned 23.12%/yr vs 22.07%/yr for VSTSX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SPFFX charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VSTSX.

Performance

SPFFX vs. VSTSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sphere 500 Fossil Free Fund (SPFFX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with SPFFX having a 11.26% return and VSTSX slightly lower at 11.14%.

SPFFX

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: 5.18%
• YTD: 11.26%
• 6M: 11.14%
• 1Y: 28.42%
• 3Y*: 23.12%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VSTSX

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 4.07%
• YTD: 11.14%
• 6M: 10.87%
• 1Y: 28.13%
• 3Y*: 22.07%
• 5Y*: 12.71%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPFFX vs. VSTSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SPFFX Sphere 500 Fossil Free Fund	11.26%	18.12%	25.13%	29.48%	-20.03%	9.04%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.14%	17.16%	23.27%	26.54%	-19.49%	8.28%

Correlation

The correlation between SPFFX and VSTSX is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 6, 2021	0.98

The correlation between SPFFX and VSTSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SPFFX vs. VSTSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPFFX

SPFFX Risk / Return Rank: 53
SPFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
SPFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
SPFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
SPFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
SPFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

VSTSX

VSTSX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VSTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VSTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VSTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VSTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VSTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

SPFFX vs. VSTSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sphere 500 Fossil Free Fund (SPFFX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX). 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.

	SPFFX	VSTSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.32	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.97	3.17	-0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.42	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	3.17	-0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.68	14.63	-2.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPFFX vs. VSTSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPFFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the VSTSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPFFX and VSTSX, 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

	SPFFX	VSTSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	2.32	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.74	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.80	+0.03

Drawdowns

SPFFX vs. VSTSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPFFX drawdown since its inception was -25.11%, smaller than the maximum VSTSX drawdown of -34.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPFFX and VSTSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPFFX	VSTSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.11%	-34.97%	+9.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.75%	-8.92%	-1.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.97%	-19.36%	-0.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.82%	-0.76%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.40%	-4.89%	-1.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.47%	1.93%	+0.54%

Volatility

SPFFX vs. VSTSX - Volatility Comparison

Sphere 500 Fossil Free Fund (SPFFX) has a higher volatility of 3.39% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) at 3.05%. This indicates that SPFFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSTSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPFFX	VSTSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.39%	3.05%	+0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.15%	9.20%	+0.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.22%	12.22%	+1.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.17%	17.36%	-0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.17%	18.75%	-1.58%

SPFFX vs. VSTSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPFFX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than VSTSX's 0.01% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPFFX vs. VSTSX - Dividend Comparison

SPFFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.11%, more than VSTSX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPFFX Sphere 500 Fossil Free Fund	6.11%	6.80%	1.06%	1.32%	0.73%	0.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.03%	1.13%	1.27%	1.43%	1.67%	1.23%	1.44%	1.79%	2.07%	1.74%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPFFX and VSTSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, SPFFX and VSTSX 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.

Which is riskier, SPFFX or VSTSX?

SPFFX has higher volatility (3.39%) compared to VSTSX (3.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPFFX dropped -25.11% vs VSTSX's -34.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 2.19), 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.