VMATX vs. SPY
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund (VMATX) and SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY).
VMATX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Dec 9, 1998. SPY is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Jan 22, 1993.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: VMATX or SPY.
Key characteristics
| VMATX | SPY | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 1.86% | 26.83% |
| 1Y Return | 7.99% | 34.88% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -0.78% | 10.16% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 0.99% | 15.71% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 2.27% | 13.33% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 2.20 | 3.08 |
| Sortino Ratio | 3.29 | 4.10 |
| Omega Ratio | 1.51 | 1.58 |
| Calmar Ratio | 0.87 | 4.46 |
| Martin Ratio | 8.87 | 20.22 |
| Ulcer Index | 1.00% | 1.85% |
| Daily Std Dev | 4.04% | 12.18% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.24% | -55.19% |
| Current Drawdown | -3.04% | -0.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between VMATX and SPY is -0.10. This indicates that the assets' prices tend to move in opposite directions. Negative correlation can be particularly beneficial for diversification and risk management, as one asset may offset the losses of the other during market fluctuations.
Performance
VMATX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, VMATX achieves a 1.86% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 26.83% return. Over the past 10 years, VMATX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 2.27%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 13.33% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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VMATX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison
VMATX has a 0.13% 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%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
VMATX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund (VMATX) and 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.
Dividends
VMATX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison
VMATX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.35%, more than SPY's 1.17% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VMATX Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund | 3.35% | 3.07% | 2.69% | 2.26% | 2.47% | 2.81% | 3.07% | 2.92% | 3.06% | 3.06% | 3.16% | 3.35% |
SPY SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 1.17% | 1.40% | 1.65% | 1.20% | 1.52% | 1.75% | 2.04% | 1.80% | 2.03% | 2.06% | 1.87% | 1.81% |
Drawdowns
VMATX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VMATX drawdown since its inception was -16.24%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMATX and SPY. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
VMATX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund (VMATX) is 1.97%, while SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 3.77%. This indicates that VMATX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.