VFTNX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VFTNX (Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VFTNX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the FTSE4Good US Select Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VFTNX returned 16.22%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFTNX charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VFTNX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFTNX) 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, VFTNX achieves a 11.69% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFTNX having a 16.22% annualized return and SPY not far behind at 15.49%.

VFTNX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 7.29%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 11.62%
• 1Y: 29.37%
• 3Y*: 23.29%
• 5Y*: 13.86%
• 10Y*: 16.22%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

VFTNX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFTNX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares	11.69%	17.32%	26.01%	31.77%	-24.20%	27.76%	22.62%	33.96%	-3.41%	24.19%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VFTNX and SPY is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2000	0.94

The correlation between VFTNX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

VFTNX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFTNX	SPY
Technology	41.6%	35.9%
Communication Services	14.1%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	10.3%
Financial Services	11.5%	11.8%
Healthcare	9.5%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	4.8%
Industrials	3.3%	7.8%
Real Estate	2.2%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.6%	1.8%
Utilities	0.1%	2.4%
Energy	0.0%	3.6%

Return for Risk

VFTNX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFTNX

VFTNX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VFTNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VFTNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VFTNX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VFTNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VFTNX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

VFTNX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFTNX) 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.

	VFTNX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	2.38	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	3.24	-0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.43	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	3.16	-0.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.87	14.72	-3.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFTNX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFTNX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFTNX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VFTNX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	2.38	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.82	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.87	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.59	-0.20

Drawdowns

VFTNX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFTNX drawdown since its inception was -64.04%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFTNX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFTNX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.04%	-55.19%	-8.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.83%	-8.88%	-2.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.18%	-18.76%	-1.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.11%	-24.50%	-4.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.22%	-33.72%	-0.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.70%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.70%	-9.05%	-6.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	1.91%	+0.87%

Volatility

VFTNX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFTNX) has a higher volatility of 3.26% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that VFTNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFTNX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.26%	2.84%	+0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.14%	8.90%	+1.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.28%	11.83%	+1.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.36%	17.05%	+1.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.07%	17.94%	+1.13%

VFTNX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFTNX has a 0.12% 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%.

Dividends

VFTNX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VFTNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, less than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
VFTNX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.84%	0.90%	1.01%	1.12%	1.37%	0.95%	1.23%	1.46%	1.81%	1.49%	1.82%	1.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFTNX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, VFTNX and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VFTNX or SPY?

VFTNX has higher volatility (3.26%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFTNX dropped -64.04% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.28), 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.