VOO vs. SRLN

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) and SRLN (State Street Blackstone Senior Loan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while SRLN is a Bank Loan fund actively managed by State Street. VOO is passively managed, while SRLN is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOO returned 15.50%/yr vs 4.52%/yr for SRLN. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VOO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for SRLN.

Performance

VOO vs. SRLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and State Street Blackstone Senior Loan ETF (SRLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOO achieves a 9.08% return, which is significantly higher than SRLN's 0.50% return. Over the past 10 years, VOO has outperformed SRLN with an annualized return of 15.50%, while SRLN has yielded a comparatively lower 4.52% annualized return.

VOO

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: -0.07%
• YTD: 9.08%
• 6M: 9.44%
• 1Y: 24.36%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 13.43%
• 10Y*: 15.50%

SRLN

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.19%
• YTD: 0.50%
• 6M: 0.94%
• 1Y: 5.20%
• 3Y*: 7.44%
• 5Y*: 4.52%
• 10Y*: 4.52%

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

VOO vs. SRLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	9.08%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%
SRLN State Street Blackstone Senior Loan ETF	0.50%	6.77%	8.43%	11.62%	-5.30%	4.49%	3.13%	10.03%	-0.66%	3.39%

Correlation

The correlation between VOO and SRLN is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2013	0.47

The correlation between VOO and SRLN shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (all time) to 0.64 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VOO vs. SRLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOO	SRLN
Technology	35.7%	-
Financial Services	11.6%	-
Communication Services	11.3%	91.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	-
Healthcare	8.5%	-
Industrials	8.3%	8.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	2.4%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

VOO vs. SRLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 70
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 76

SRLN

SRLN Risk / Return Rank: 57
SRLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SRLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SRLN Omega Ratio Rank: 79
SRLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
SRLN Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

VOO vs. SRLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and State Street Blackstone Senior Loan ETF (SRLN). 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.

	VOO	SRLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	1.80	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	2.62	+0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.41	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	1.60	+1.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.42	5.93	+6.49

VOO vs. SRLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOO Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the SRLN Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOO and SRLN, 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

VOO vs. SRLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOO drawdown since its inception was -33.99%, which is greater than SRLN's maximum drawdown of -22.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOO and SRLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOO	SRLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.99%	-22.29%	-11.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-3.26%	-5.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.69%	-4.26%	-14.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.52%	-7.93%	-16.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.99%	-22.29%	-11.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.34%	-0.30%	-2.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.68%	-1.10%	-2.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	0.88%	+1.09%

Volatility

VOO vs. SRLN - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a higher volatility of 4.34% compared to State Street Blackstone Senior Loan ETF (SRLN) at 0.53%. This indicates that VOO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SRLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOO	SRLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	0.53%	+3.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	2.65%	+6.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.27%	2.90%	+9.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.88%	3.91%	+12.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	6.06%	+11.97%

VOO vs. SRLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than SRLN's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOO vs. SRLN - Dividend Comparison

VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, less than SRLN's 7.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SRLN State Street Blackstone Senior Loan ETF	7.51%	7.67%	8.58%	8.44%	5.72%	4.45%	4.91%	5.39%	4.98%	4.01%	3.94%	4.43%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOO and SRLN in my portfolio?

VOO and SRLN have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOO or SRLN?

VOO has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to SRLN (0.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOO dropped -33.99% vs SRLN's -22.29%.

Which ETF is better, VOO or SRLN?

On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 15.50% vs 4.52% for SRLN. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SRLN has been the lower-risk option at 0.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOO or SRLN?

Over the 10-year period, VOO has performed better with a 15.50% return vs 4.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOO or SRLN?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for SRLN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VOO or SRLN?

SRLN has the higher dividend yield at 7.51%, compared with 1.05% for VOO.

What is the main difference between VOO and SRLN?

VOO is categorized as S&P 500, while SRLN is Bank Loan. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VOO and 0.70% for SRLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.80), 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.