VFSAX vs. SPY
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) and SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY).
VFSAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Feb 7, 2019. 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.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: VFSAX or SPY.
Key characteristics
| VFSAX | SPY | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 4.31% | 26.77% |
| 1Y Return | 16.44% | 37.43% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -2.57% | 10.15% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 4.77% | 15.86% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.31 | 3.06 |
| Sortino Ratio | 1.84 | 4.08 |
| Omega Ratio | 1.24 | 1.58 |
| Calmar Ratio | 0.75 | 4.44 |
| Martin Ratio | 7.07 | 20.11 |
| Ulcer Index | 2.29% | 1.85% |
| Daily Std Dev | 12.39% | 12.18% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.86% | -55.19% |
| Current Drawdown | -8.80% | -0.31% |
Correlation
The correlation between VFSAX and SPY is 0.79, 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.
Performance
VFSAX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, VFSAX achieves a 4.31% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 26.77% return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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VFSAX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison
VFSAX has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% 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%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
VFSAX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) 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.
Dividends
VFSAX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison
VFSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.82%, more than SPY's 1.17% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares | 2.82% | 3.05% | 2.22% | 2.67% | 1.85% | 3.18% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SPY SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 1.17% | 1.40% | 1.65% | 1.20% | 1.52% | 1.75% | 2.04% | 1.80% | 2.03% | 2.06% | 1.87% | 1.81% |
Drawdowns
VFSAX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VFSAX drawdown since its inception was -39.86%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFSAX and SPY. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
VFSAX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) is 3.22%, while SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 3.88%. This indicates that VFSAX 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.