VEIGX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VEIGX (Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Investor Shares) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VEIGX is a ESG fund managed by Vanguard, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 5 years, VEIGX returned 11.13%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VEIGX charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VEIGX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Investor Shares (VEIGX) 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, VEIGX achieves a 12.29% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.15% return.

VEIGX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 4.64%
• YTD: 12.29%
• 6M: 11.50%
• 1Y: 18.34%
• 3Y*: 16.95%
• 5Y*: 11.13%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

VEIGX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VEIGX Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Investor Shares	12.29%	12.19%	16.20%	19.49%	-10.85%	22.19%	19.30%	11.76%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	12.75%

Correlation

The correlation between VEIGX and SPY is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2019	0.87

The correlation between VEIGX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

VEIGX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEIGX	SPY
Technology	30.3%	39.0%
Financial Services	20.8%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	13.5%	9.9%
Healthcare	8.3%	8.3%
Industrials	7.4%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	4.5%
Real Estate	5.2%	1.8%
Basic Materials	3.7%	1.7%
Communication Services	3.2%	10.6%
Utilities	2.0%	2.1%
Energy	-	3.1%

Return for Risk

VEIGX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEIGX

VEIGX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VEIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
VEIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
VEIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
VEIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
VEIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

VEIGX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Investor Shares (VEIGX) 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.

	VEIGX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.90	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	2.58	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.34	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	2.67	-0.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.05	11.92	-4.87

VEIGX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEIGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEIGX 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

VEIGX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEIGX drawdown since its inception was -30.54%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEIGX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEIGX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.54%	-55.19%	+24.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.78%	-8.88%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.53%	-18.76%	+4.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.77%	-24.50%	+0.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.17%	+3.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.09%	-9.04%	+4.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.85%	1.98%	+0.87%

Volatility

VEIGX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Investor Shares (VEIGX) is 4.59%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that VEIGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEIGX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.59%	4.87%	-0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.83%	9.85%	+0.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.43%	12.50%	+0.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.71%	17.15%	-2.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.32%	17.95%	-0.63%

VEIGX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEIGX has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEIGX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VEIGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.80%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
VEIGX Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Investor Shares	3.80%	4.54%	4.87%	1.72%	2.11%	2.63%	0.99%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEIGX and SPY in my portfolio?

VEIGX and SPY have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEIGX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to VEIGX (4.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEIGX dropped -30.54% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.50), 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.