VISGX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VISGX (Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VISGX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VISGX returned 11.74%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VISGX charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VISGX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX) 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, VISGX achieves a 18.31% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, VISGX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 11.74%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

VISGX

• 1D: 2.00%
• 1M: 2.79%
• YTD: 18.31%
• 6M: 14.61%
• 1Y: 32.75%
• 3Y*: 16.80%
• 5Y*: 5.42%
• 10Y*: 11.74%

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

VISGX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VISGX Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund	18.31%	8.18%	14.80%	22.91%	-28.50%	5.58%	35.11%	32.60%	-5.81%	21.78%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VISGX and SPY is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 21, 1998	0.84

The correlation between VISGX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VISGX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VISGX

VISGX Risk / Return Rank: 44
VISGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VISGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
VISGX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VISGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VISGX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

VISGX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX) 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.

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.

	VISGX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	2.16	-0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	2.91	-0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.39	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	3.01	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.77	13.54	-2.76

VISGX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VISGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VISGX 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.

Drawdowns

VISGX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VISGX drawdown since its inception was -58.74%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VISGX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VISGX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.74%	-55.19%	-3.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.39%	-8.88%	-2.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.58%	-18.76%	-8.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.41%	-24.50%	-13.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.70%	-33.72%	-4.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-1.75%	+1.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.60%	-9.04%	-2.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.04%	1.97%	+1.07%

Volatility

VISGX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX) has a higher volatility of 7.29% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that VISGX'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

	VISGX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.29%	4.64%	+2.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.86%	9.75%	+6.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.28%	12.43%	+7.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.71%	17.14%	+6.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.05%	17.99%	+5.06%

VISGX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VISGX has a 0.19% 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

VISGX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VISGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, less than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
VISGX Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund	0.34%	0.33%	0.42%	0.56%	0.46%	0.23%	0.35%	0.47%	0.65%	0.71%	0.97%	0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VISGX and SPY in my portfolio?

VISGX and SPY have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VISGX or SPY?

VISGX has higher volatility (7.29%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VISGX dropped -58.74% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.62), 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.