SPYM vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPYM is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPYM returned 15.78%/yr vs 15.31%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPYM charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

SPYM vs. VTI - 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 Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPYM achieves a 9.79% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 10.35% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SPYM having a 15.78% annualized return and VTI not far behind at 15.31%.

SPYM

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 9.79%
• 6M: 9.30%
• 1Y: 26.75%
• 3Y*: 21.36%
• 5Y*: 13.59%
• 10Y*: 15.78%

VTI

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 10.35%
• 6M: 9.59%
• 1Y: 27.18%
• 3Y*: 21.19%
• 5Y*: 12.36%
• 10Y*: 15.31%

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

SPYM vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	9.79%	17.79%	25.00%	26.24%	-18.09%	28.78%	18.49%	31.99%	-4.78%	21.30%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	10.35%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between SPYM and VTI is 0.99 - 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	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2005	0.87

The correlation between SPYM and VTI shifts across timeframes, from 0.87 (all time) to 0.99 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPYM vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPYM	VTI
Technology	38.0%	37.0%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.3%
Communication Services	10.1%	9.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	9.7%
Healthcare	8.5%	9.0%
Industrials	8.0%	9.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	4.3%
Energy	3.1%	3.3%
Utilities	2.6%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.8%	2.3%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.9%

Return for Risk

SPYM vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPYM

SPYM Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SPYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
SPYM Omega Ratio Rank: 69
SPYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPYM Martin Ratio Rank: 74

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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. VTI - 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 Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	2.14	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	2.90	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.38	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	3.06	-0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.57	13.68	-0.10

SPYM vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPYM Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPYM and VTI, 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. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPYM drawdown since its inception was -54.46%, roughly equal to the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPYM and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPYM	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.46%	-55.45%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-8.92%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.72%	-19.30%	+0.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.48%	-25.36%	+0.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.87%	-35.00%	+1.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.73%	-1.48%	-0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.14%	-8.01%	+0.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	1.99%	-0.01%

Volatility

SPYM vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 4.61% and 4.74%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPYM	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.61%	4.74%	-0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.74%	9.96%	-0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.39%	12.76%	-0.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.89%	17.49%	-0.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.05%	18.35%	-0.30%

SPYM vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPYM has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than VTI's 0.03% 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. VTI - Dividend Comparison

SPYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, more than VTI's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	1.28%	1.13%	1.28%	1.44%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.79%	2.23%	1.75%	1.97%	1.98%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.02%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPYM and VTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, SPYM and VTI 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, SPYM or VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to SPYM (4.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPYM dropped -54.46% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, SPYM or VTI?

On 10-year performance, SPYM leads with 15.78% vs 15.31% for VTI. On fees, SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, SPYM has been the lower-risk option at 4.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPYM or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, SPYM has performed better with a 15.78% return vs 15.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPYM or VTI?

SPYM is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.03% for VTI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPYM or VTI?

SPYM has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 1.02% for VTI.

What is the main difference between SPYM and VTI?

SPYM is categorized as S&P 500, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.02% for SPYM and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 2.14), 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.