VIGI vs. SPDG

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VIGI (Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF) and SPDG (SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF) are both Dividend funds - VIGI tracks the S&P Global Ex-U.S. Dividend Growers Index while SPDG tracks the S&P Sector-Neutral High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VIGI returned 15.49% vs 24.51% for SPDG. Their 0.65 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VIGI charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPDG.

Performance

VIGI vs. SPDG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI) and SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF (SPDG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIGI achieves a 7.63% return, which is significantly lower than SPDG's 14.23% return.

VIGI

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 2.41%
• 6M: 6.45%
• YTD: 7.63%
• 1Y: 15.49%
• 3Y*: 10.89%
• 5Y*: 5.26%
• 10Y*: 8.05%
• ALL TIME*: 8.81%

SPDG

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: -0.77%
• 6M: 7.57%
• YTD: 14.23%
• 1Y: 24.51%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.16%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SPDG SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF	$48.48K	$40.82K	$36.86K
VIGI Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF	$22.25M	$25.32M	$27.49M

VIGI vs. SPDG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VIGI Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF	7.63%	16.88%	2.73%	7.58%
SPDG SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF	14.23%	11.66%	20.22%	8.09%

Correlation

The correlation between VIGI and SPDG is 0.61, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2023	0.65

The correlation between VIGI and SPDG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

VIGI vs. SPDG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VIGI	SPDG
Financial Services	29.3%	13.3%
Industrials	15.8%	9.0%
Healthcare	15.0%	10.2%
Technology	13.3%	32.4%
Consumer Defensive	9.4%	5.4%
Utilities	5.0%	2.6%
Basic Materials	4.2%	2.2%
Consumer Cyclical	2.7%	9.6%
Energy	2.3%	4.1%
Communication Services	1.3%	8.6%
Real Estate	1.1%	2.4%

Return for Risk

VIGI vs. SPDG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VIGI

VIGI Risk / Return Rank: 47
VIGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VIGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
VIGI Omega Ratio Rank: 47
VIGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VIGI Martin Ratio Rank: 47

SPDG

SPDG Risk / Return Rank: 80
SPDG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
SPDG Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
SPDG Omega Ratio Rank: 80
SPDG Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
SPDG Martin Ratio Rank: 75

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VIGI vs. SPDG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI) and SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF (SPDG). 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.

	VIGI	SPDG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	1.90	-0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.74	2.73	-0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.33	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.45	2.83	-1.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.31	9.27	-3.96

VIGI vs. SPDG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIGI Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is lower than the SPDG Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIGI and SPDG, 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

VIGI vs. SPDG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIGI drawdown since its inception was -31.01%, which is greater than SPDG's maximum drawdown of -15.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIGI and SPDG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIGI	SPDG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.01%	-15.67%	-15.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.64%	-8.34%	-2.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.50%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.80%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.01%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-2.77%	+1.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.10%	-2.19%	-3.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	2.54%	+0.35%

Volatility

VIGI vs. SPDG - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI) has a higher volatility of 3.71% compared to SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF (SPDG) at 3.50%. This indicates that VIGI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPDG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIGI	SPDG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.71%	3.50%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.59%	9.56%	+1.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.94%	12.55%	+0.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.49%	14.11%	+0.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.75%	14.11%	+1.64%

VIGI vs. SPDG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIGI has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SPDG's 0.05% 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

VIGI vs. SPDG - Dividend Comparison

VIGI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.05%, less than SPDG's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
SPDG SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF	2.72%	2.87%	2.61%	0.90%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VIGI Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF	2.05%	2.14%	1.93%	1.92%	2.06%	7.02%	1.29%	1.83%	1.99%	1.75%	1.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIGI and SPDG in my portfolio?

VIGI and SPDG have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIGI or SPDG?

VIGI has higher volatility (3.71%) compared to SPDG (3.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIGI dropped -31.01% vs SPDG's -15.67%.

Which ETF is better, VIGI or SPDG?

On 1-year performance, SPDG leads with 24.51% vs 15.49% for VIGI. On fees, SPDG is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SPDG has been the lower-risk option at 3.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VIGI or SPDG?

Over the 1-year period, SPDG has performed better with a 24.51% return vs 15.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VIGI or SPDG?

SPDG is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for VIGI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VIGI or SPDG?

SPDG has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 2.05% for VIGI.

What is the main difference between VIGI and SPDG?

VIGI tracks S&P Global Ex-U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while SPDG tracks S&P Sector-Neutral High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for VIGI and 0.05% for SPDG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPDG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.20), 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.