VGHY vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGHY (Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGHY is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Vanguard, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. VGHY is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VGHY charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VGHY vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF (VGHY) 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, VGHY achieves a 1.38% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return.

VGHY

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.38%
• 6M: 2.00%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

VGHY vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VGHY Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF	1.38%	1.80%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	4.04%

Correlation

The correlation between VGHY and SPY is 0.65, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2025	0.65

Return for Risk

VGHY vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

VGHY vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF (VGHY) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VGHY	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.07	0.59	+0.48

Drawdowns

VGHY vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGHY drawdown since its inception was -2.66%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGHY and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGHY	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.66%	-55.19%	+52.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.88%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-0.70%	+0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.45%	-9.05%	+8.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.91%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VGHY	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.84%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.90%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.30%	11.83%	-7.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.30%	17.05%	-12.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.30%	17.94%	-13.64%

VGHY vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGHY has a 0.22% 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

VGHY vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VGHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.98%, more 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%
VGHY Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF	3.98%	1.49%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGHY and SPY in my portfolio?

VGHY and SPY have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VGHY or SPY?

On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VGHY or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.22% for VGHY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VGHY or SPY?

VGHY has the higher dividend yield at 3.98%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between VGHY and SPY?

VGHY is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for VGHY and 0.09% for SPY.