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 | 6.62% | 18.37% |
| 1Y Return | 13.43% | 26.96% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -1.93% | 9.40% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 5.89% | 15.01% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.14 | 2.14 |
| Daily Std Dev | 12.79% | 12.67% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.86% | -55.19% |
| Current Drawdown | -6.77% | -1.02% |
Correlation
The correlation between VFSAX and SPY is 0.80, 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 6.62% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 18.37% 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 2.75%, more than SPY's 1.22% 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 | 2.31% | 3.06% | 2.22% | 2.67% | 1.85% | 3.19% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SPY SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 0.94% | 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
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) and SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 4.30% and 4.24%, 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.