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VEU vs. SPY

Last updated Sep 30, 2023

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) and SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY).

VEU and SPY are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VEU is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the FTSE All-World ex US Index. It was launched on Mar 2, 2007. SPY is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Jan 22, 1993. Both VEU and SPY are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: VEU or SPY.

Key characteristics


VEUSPY
YTD Return5.44%13.02%
1Y Return20.14%19.69%
5Y Return (Ann)2.90%9.85%
10Y Return (Ann)3.58%11.74%
Sharpe Ratio1.131.00
Daily Std Dev16.19%17.19%
Max Drawdown-61.52%-55.19%

Correlation

0.84
-1.001.00

The correlation between VEU and SPY is 0.84, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

VEU vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

In the year-to-date period, VEU achieves a 5.44% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 13.02% return. Over the past 10 years, VEU has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 3.58%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 11.74% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.


0.00%5.00%10.00%MayJuneJulyAugustSeptember
-2.07%
4.78%
VEU
SPY

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs


Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF

SPDR S&P 500 ETF

VEU vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.16%, more than SPY's 1.52% yield.


TTM20222021202020192018201720162015201420132012
VEU
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF
3.16%3.18%3.23%2.16%3.44%3.74%3.14%3.60%3.70%4.53%3.54%4.02%
SPY
SPDR S&P 500 ETF
1.52%1.67%1.24%1.58%1.85%2.21%1.98%2.28%2.37%2.18%2.17%2.65%

VEU vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEU has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

0.09%
0.00%2.15%
0.07%
0.00%2.15%

VEU vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) and 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.


Sharpe ratioSortino ratioOmega ratioCalmar ratioUlcer Index
VEU
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF
1.13
SPY
SPDR S&P 500 ETF
1.00

VEU vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEU Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which roughly equals the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the 12-month rolling Sharpe Ratio of VEU and SPY.


Rolling 12-month Sharpe Ratio0.000.501.00MayJuneJulyAugustSeptember
1.13
1.00
VEU
SPY

VEU vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEU drawdown for the period was -14.43%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -13.65%. The drawdown chart below compares losses from any high point along the way for VEU and SPY


-14.00%-12.00%-10.00%-8.00%-6.00%-4.00%-2.00%MayJuneJulyAugustSeptember
-14.08%
-8.05%
VEU
SPY

VEU vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) and SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 3.16% and 3.16%, 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.


2.00%2.50%3.00%3.50%4.00%4.50%5.00%5.50%MayJuneJulyAugustSeptember
3.16%
3.16%
VEU
SPY