VFMV vs. SPYM

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

VFMV (Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF) and SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VFMV is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while SPYM is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. VFMV is actively managed, while SPYM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VFMV returned 9.37%/yr vs 12.89%/yr for SPYM. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFMV charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SPYM.

Performance

VFMV vs. SPYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VFMV having a 9.62% return and SPYM slightly lower at 9.47%.

VFMV

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 2.40%
• 6M: 6.67%
• YTD: 9.62%
• 1Y: 13.50%
• 3Y*: 13.82%
• 5Y*: 9.37%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.94%

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%

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

VFMV vs. SPYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	9.62%	10.52%	16.91%	8.86%	-5.73%	20.75%	-0.19%	27.26%	-0.34%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	9.47%	17.79%	25.00%	26.24%	-18.09%	28.78%	18.49%	31.99%	-5.60%

Correlation

The correlation between VFMV and SPYM is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2018	0.80

Over the past year, the correlation between VFMV and SPYM has dropped to 0.60 - well below their long-term average of 0.80, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VFMV vs. SPYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFMV	SPYM
Technology	25.1%	38.5%
Communication Services	10.7%	9.9%
Financial Services	10.6%	11.6%
Industrials	10.1%	8.4%
Healthcare	10.1%	8.9%
Consumer Defensive	9.5%	4.5%
Consumer Cyclical	6.9%	9.5%
Utilities	6.7%	2.2%
Real Estate	6.4%	1.8%
Energy	3.9%	3.0%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%

Return for Risk

VFMV vs. SPYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFMV

VFMV Risk / Return Rank: 63
VFMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VFMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VFMV Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VFMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VFMV Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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

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.

VFMV vs. SPYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). 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.

	VFMV	SPYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	1.57	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	2.19	+0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.28	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.26	2.22	+0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.68	9.63	-0.95

VFMV vs. SPYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFMV Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is comparable to the SPYM Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFMV and SPYM, 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

VFMV vs. SPYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFMV drawdown since its inception was -33.64%, smaller than the maximum SPYM drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFMV and SPYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFMV	SPYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.64%	-54.46%	+20.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.00%	-8.90%	+2.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.35%	-18.72%	+8.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.41%	-24.48%	+9.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-2.01%	+1.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.60%	-7.12%	+3.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.56%	2.05%	-0.49%

Volatility

VFMV vs. SPYM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) is 1.91%, while State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) has a volatility of 3.43%. This indicates that VFMV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFMV	SPYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.91%	3.43%	-1.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.44%	10.04%	-3.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.80%	12.60%	-3.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.74%	16.90%	-5.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.18%	18.00%	-3.82%

VFMV vs. SPYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFMV has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYM's 0.02% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFMV vs. SPYM - Dividend Comparison

VFMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.77%, more than SPYM's 1.04% 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%
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	1.77%	2.12%	1.46%	2.20%	2.08%	1.31%	2.14%	2.43%	2.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFMV and SPYM in my portfolio?

VFMV and SPYM have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFMV or SPYM?

SPYM has higher volatility (3.43%) compared to VFMV (1.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFMV dropped -33.64% vs SPYM's -54.46%.

Which ETF is better, VFMV or SPYM?

On 5-year performance, SPYM leads with 12.89% vs 9.37% for VFMV. On fees, SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, VFMV has been the lower-risk option at 1.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VFMV or SPYM?

Over the 5-year period, SPYM has performed better with a 12.89% return vs 9.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VFMV or SPYM?

SPYM is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for VFMV.

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

VFMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.77%, compared with 1.04% for SPYM.

What is the main difference between VFMV and SPYM?

VFMV is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while SPYM is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for VFMV and 0.02% for SPYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.54), 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.