VSCIX vs. SPY
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX) and SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY).
VSCIX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Jul 7, 1997. 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: VSCIX or SPY.
Key characteristics
| VSCIX | SPY | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 5.91% | 10.44% |
| 1Y Return | 23.08% | 28.54% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 2.39% | 9.53% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 9.40% | 14.57% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 9.19% | 12.81% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.43 | 2.52 |
| Daily Std Dev | 17.17% | 11.50% |
| Max Drawdown | -59.66% | -55.19% |
| Current Drawdown | -2.06% | 0.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSCIX and SPY is 0.85, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
VSCIX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, VSCIX achieves a 5.91% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.44% return. Over the past 10 years, VSCIX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.19%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 12.81% 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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VSCIX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSCIX has a 0.04% 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%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
VSCIX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX) 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
VSCIX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison
VSCIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, more than SPY's 1.28% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSCIX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares | 1.45% | 1.56% | 1.55% | 1.25% | 1.15% | 1.40% | 1.68% | 1.36% | 1.50% | 1.49% | 1.44% | 1.31% |
SPY SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 1.28% | 1.40% | 1.65% | 1.20% | 1.52% | 1.75% | 2.04% | 1.80% | 2.03% | 2.06% | 1.87% | 1.81% |
Drawdowns
VSCIX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSCIX drawdown since its inception was -59.66%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSCIX and SPY. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
VSCIX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX) has a higher volatility of 3.91% compared to SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 3.34%. This indicates that VSCIX'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.