VPN vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VPN (Global X Data Center REITs & Digital Infrastructure ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPN is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Solactive Data Center REITs & Digital Infrastructure Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VPN returned 15.53%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VPN charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VPN vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Data Center REITs & Digital Infrastructure ETF (VPN) 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, VPN achieves a 52.56% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return.

VPN

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 11.31%
• YTD: 52.56%
• 6M: 54.49%
• 1Y: 84.73%
• 3Y*: 36.32%
• 5Y*: 15.53%
• 10Y*: —

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)

VPN vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VPN Global X Data Center REITs & Digital Infrastructure ETF	52.56%	28.99%	14.92%	18.93%	-30.89%	20.35%	5.81%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	13.79%

Correlation

The correlation between VPN and SPY is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 30, 2020	0.67

The correlation between VPN and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

VPN vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VPN	SPY
Real Estate	58.0%	1.9%
Technology	30.6%	35.9%
Communication Services	10.5%	11.3%
Financial Services	0.9%	11.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Energy	-	3.6%
Healthcare	-	8.4%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

VPN vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPN

VPN Risk / Return Rank: 92
VPN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
VPN Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
VPN Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VPN Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VPN Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

VPN vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Data Center REITs & Digital Infrastructure ETF (VPN) 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.

	VPN	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.90	2.38	+1.52
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.71	3.24	+1.47
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.43	+0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.61	3.16	+3.44
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.78	14.72	+6.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VPN vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPN Sharpe Ratio is 3.90, which is higher than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPN 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

	VPN	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.90	2.38	+1.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.82	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.59	+0.18

Drawdowns

VPN vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPN drawdown since its inception was -38.98%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPN and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPN	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.98%	-55.19%	+16.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.89%	-8.88%	-4.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.96%	-18.76%	-6.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.98%	-24.50%	-14.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-0.70%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.37%	-9.05%	-3.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.09%	1.91%	+2.18%

Volatility

VPN vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Global X Data Center REITs & Digital Infrastructure ETF (VPN) has a higher volatility of 7.16% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that VPN'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

	VPN	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.16%	2.84%	+4.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.92%	8.90%	+8.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.84%	11.83%	+10.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.83%	17.05%	+4.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.90%	17.94%	+3.96%

VPN vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPN has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

VPN vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VPN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.72%, less 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%
VPN Global X Data Center REITs & Digital Infrastructure ETF	0.72%	1.10%	1.72%	1.18%	2.57%	1.27%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VPN and SPY in my portfolio?

VPN and SPY have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VPN or SPY?

VPN has higher volatility (7.16%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPN dropped -38.98% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, VPN or SPY?

On 5-year performance, VPN leads with 15.53% vs 13.83% for SPY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VPN or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, VPN has performed better with a 15.53% return vs 13.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VPN or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for VPN.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.72% for VPN.

What is the main difference between VPN and SPY?

VPN is categorized as Technology Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. VPN tracks Solactive Data Center REITs & Digital Infrastructure Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for VPN and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.90 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.