SPYM vs. VMRXX

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) and VMRXX (Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - SPYM is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VMRXX is a Money Market fund actively managed by Vanguard. SPYM is passively managed, while VMRXX is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPYM returned 12.89%/yr vs 3.09%/yr for VMRXX. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPYM charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VMRXX.

Performance

SPYM vs. VMRXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) and Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares (VMRXX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPYM achieves a 9.47% return, which is significantly higher than VMRXX's 1.80% return.

SPYM

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -0.60%
• 6M: 7.91%
• YTD: 9.47%
• 1Y: 19.65%
• 3Y*: 19.52%
• 5Y*: 12.89%
• 10Y*: 15.03%
• ALL TIME*: 11.15%

VMRXX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.30%
• 6M: 1.80%
• YTD: 1.80%
• 1Y: 3.91%
• 3Y*: 4.39%
• 5Y*: 3.09%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.00%

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

SPYM vs. VMRXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	9.47%	17.79%	25.00%	26.24%	-18.09%	14.47%
VMRXX Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares	1.80%	4.25%	4.84%	4.65%	0.00%	0.01%

Correlation

The correlation between SPYM and VMRXX is 0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2021	0.04

Return for Risk

SPYM vs. VMRXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPYM

SPYM Risk / Return Rank: 64
SPYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
SPYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SPYM Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPYM Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VMRXX

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

SPYM vs. VMRXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) and Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares (VMRXX). 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.

	SPYM	VMRXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	3.67	-2.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.22	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.63	—	—

SPYM vs. VMRXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPYM Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is lower than the VMRXX Sharpe Ratio of 3.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPYM and VMRXX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SPYM vs. VMRXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPYM drawdown since its inception was -54.46%, which is greater than VMRXX's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPYM and VMRXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPYM	VMRXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.46%	0.00%	-54.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	0.00%	-8.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.72%	0.00%	-18.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.48%	0.00%	-24.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.01%	0.00%	-2.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.12%	0.00%	-7.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.05%	0.00%	+2.05%

Volatility

SPYM vs. VMRXX - Volatility Comparison

State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) has a higher volatility of 3.43% compared to Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares (VMRXX) at 0.29%. This indicates that SPYM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VMRXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPYM	VMRXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.43%	0.29%	+3.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.04%	0.72%	+9.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.60%	1.10%	+11.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.90%	1.09%	+15.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.00%	1.07%	+16.93%

SPYM vs. VMRXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPYM has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than VMRXX's 0.10% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPYM vs. VMRXX - Dividend Comparison

SPYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than VMRXX's 3.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	1.04%	1.13%	1.28%	1.44%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.79%	2.23%	1.75%	1.97%	1.98%
VMRXX Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares	3.83%	4.15%	4.71%	4.54%	0.00%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPYM and VMRXX in my portfolio?

SPYM and VMRXX have a correlation of 0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPYM or VMRXX?

SPYM has higher volatility (3.43%) compared to VMRXX (0.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPYM dropped -54.46% vs VMRXX's 0.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VMRXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.67 vs 1.57), 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.