VAIGX vs. SPY

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

VAIGX (Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VAIGX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 3 years, VAIGX returned 10.24%/yr vs 20.01%/yr for SPY. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VAIGX charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VAIGX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund (VAIGX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VAIGX achieves a 1.25% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.67% return.

VAIGX

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: 3.96%
• 6M: -1.00%
• YTD: 1.25%
• 1Y: -2.00%
• 3Y*: 10.24%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 0.31%
• 6M: 9.02%
• YTD: 10.67%
• 1Y: 21.60%
• 3Y*: 20.01%
• 5Y*: 13.24%
• 10Y*: 15.08%

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

VAIGX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VAIGX Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund	1.25%	17.01%	19.11%	15.53%	-28.63%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.67%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-12.06%

Correlation

The correlation between VAIGX and SPY is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2022	0.80

The correlation between VAIGX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VAIGX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VAIGX

VAIGX Risk / Return Rank: 3
VAIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
VAIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
VAIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
VAIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
VAIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 65
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

VAIGX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund (VAIGX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	VAIGX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.09	1.72	-1.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.02	2.38	-2.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.31	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.09	2.44	-2.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.19	10.63	-10.83

VAIGX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VAIGX Sharpe Ratio is -0.09, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VAIGX and SPY, 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

VAIGX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VAIGX drawdown since its inception was -41.46%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VAIGX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VAIGX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.46%	-55.19%	+13.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.75%	-8.88%	-12.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.25%	-18.76%	-6.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.64%	-0.91%	-6.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.23%	-9.02%	-5.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.93%	2.04%	+7.89%

Volatility

VAIGX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund (VAIGX) has a higher volatility of 5.67% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 3.58%. This indicates that VAIGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VAIGX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.67%	3.58%	+2.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.67%	10.02%	+7.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.53%	12.58%	+8.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.83%	17.17%	+11.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.83%	17.93%	+10.90%

VAIGX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VAIGX has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

VAIGX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VAIGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.46%, more than SPY's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
VAIGX Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund	4.46%	4.52%	0.82%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VAIGX and SPY in my portfolio?

VAIGX and SPY have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VAIGX or SPY?

VAIGX has higher volatility (5.67%) compared to SPY (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VAIGX dropped -41.46% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs -0.09), 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.