VITNX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VITNX (Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VITNX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VITNX returned 15.18%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VITNX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VITNX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VITNX) 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, VITNX achieves a 11.98% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VITNX having a 15.18% annualized return and SPY not far ahead at 15.49%.

VITNX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 5.76%
• YTD: 11.98%
• 6M: 11.89%
• 1Y: 29.13%
• 3Y*: 22.91%
• 5Y*: 13.37%
• 10Y*: 15.18%

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)

VITNX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VITNX Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	11.98%	17.16%	25.42%	26.01%	-19.47%	25.76%	20.95%	30.86%	-5.60%	20.52%
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 VITNX 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 Sep 4, 2001	0.98

The correlation between VITNX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

VITNX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VITNX	SPY
Technology	33.5%	35.9%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.8%
Communication Services	10.3%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	10.3%
Industrials	9.8%	7.8%
Healthcare	9.2%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.8%
Energy	3.7%	3.6%
Real Estate	2.4%	1.9%
Utilities	2.3%	2.4%
Basic Materials	2.0%	1.8%

Return for Risk

VITNX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VITNX

VITNX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VITNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VITNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VITNX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VITNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VITNX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

VITNX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VITNX) 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.

	VITNX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	2.38	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	3.24	+0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.43	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	3.16	+0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.59	14.72	+0.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VITNX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VITNX Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VITNX 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

	VITNX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	2.38	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.82	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	0.87	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.59	-0.05

Drawdowns

VITNX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VITNX drawdown since its inception was -55.32%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VITNX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VITNX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.32%	-55.19%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-8.88%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-18.76%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.32%	-24.50%	-0.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.99%	-33.72%	-1.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.70%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.35%	-9.05%	+1.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	1.91%	+0.02%

Volatility

VITNX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VITNX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 2.94% and 2.84%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	VITNX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.94%	2.84%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.19%	8.90%	+0.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.19%	11.83%	+0.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.35%	17.05%	+0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.42%	17.94%	+0.48%

VITNX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VITNX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VITNX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VITNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.23%, 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%
VITNX Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	2.23%	2.63%	4.14%	2.41%	6.48%	5.37%	11.56%	2.90%	3.92%	1.89%	2.78%	2.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VITNX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, VITNX 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, VITNX or SPY?

VITNX has higher volatility (2.94%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VITNX dropped -55.32% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VITNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 2.38), 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.