VNM vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VNM (VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VNM is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MVIS Vietnam Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VNM returned 4.07%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VNM charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VNM vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF (VNM) 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, VNM achieves a -2.25% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, VNM has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 4.07%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

VNM

• 1D: 1.63%
• 1M: -0.53%
• YTD: -2.25%
• 6M: 0.21%
• 1Y: 40.04%
• 3Y*: 13.31%
• 5Y*: -0.09%
• 10Y*: 4.07%

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)

VNM vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VNM VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF	-2.25%	66.55%	-11.15%	15.01%	-43.74%	22.05%	9.84%	9.24%	-16.83%	38.80%
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 VNM and SPY is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 14, 2009	0.45

The correlation between VNM and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (1 year) to 0.45 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VNM vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VNM	SPY
Real Estate	31.5%	1.8%
Financial Services	28.1%	11.1%
Industrials	14.9%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	13.9%	4.5%
Basic Materials	7.5%	1.7%
Technology	1.7%	39.0%
Energy	1.2%	3.1%
Utilities	1.1%	2.1%
Communication Services	-	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.9%
Healthcare	-	8.3%

Return for Risk

VNM vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VNM

VNM Risk / Return Rank: 43
VNM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VNM Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VNM Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VNM Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VNM Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

VNM vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF (VNM) 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.

	VNM	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	2.16	-0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	2.91	-0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.39	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	3.01	-0.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.80	13.54	-7.74

VNM vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VNM Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VNM 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

VNM vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VNM drawdown since its inception was -63.19%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VNM and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VNM	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.19%	-55.19%	-8.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.07%	-8.88%	-8.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.60%	-18.76%	-12.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.95%	-24.50%	-25.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.67%	-33.72%	-17.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.87%	-1.75%	-22.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.80%	-9.04%	-28.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.93%	1.97%	+4.96%

Volatility

VNM vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF (VNM) has a higher volatility of 5.92% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that VNM'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

	VNM	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.92%	4.64%	+1.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.18%	9.75%	+8.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.83%	12.43%	+14.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.32%	17.14%	+7.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.49%	17.99%	+5.50%

VNM vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VNM has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

VNM vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VNM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.20%, 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%
VNM VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF	0.20%	0.20%	0.00%	5.21%	0.96%	0.49%	0.40%	0.76%	0.83%	1.14%	2.44%	3.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VNM and SPY in my portfolio?

VNM and SPY have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VNM or SPY?

VNM has higher volatility (5.92%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VNM dropped -63.19% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, VNM or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.70% vs 4.07% for VNM. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VNM or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.70% return vs 4.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VNM or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for VNM.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.20% for VNM.

What is the main difference between VNM and SPY?

VNM is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. VNM tracks MVIS Vietnam Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for VNM and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.50), 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.