VSGIX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VSGIX (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VSGIX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VSGIX returned 11.90%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSGIX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VSGIX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSGIX) 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, VSGIX achieves a 18.39% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, VSGIX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 11.90%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

VSGIX

• 1D: 2.00%
• 1M: 2.79%
• YTD: 18.39%
• 6M: 14.68%
• 1Y: 32.93%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: 5.59%
• 10Y*: 11.90%

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)

VSGIX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSGIX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	18.39%	8.44%	14.95%	23.07%	-28.39%	5.70%	35.29%	32.77%	-5.70%	21.94%
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 VSGIX and SPY is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 2000	0.86

The correlation between VSGIX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

VSGIX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VSGIX	SPY
Technology	27.2%	39.0%
Industrials	24.6%	7.8%
Healthcare	14.4%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	9.9%
Financial Services	5.4%	11.1%
Energy	4.4%	3.1%
Real Estate	3.5%	1.8%
Communication Services	3.0%	10.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	4.5%
Basic Materials	2.7%	1.7%
Utilities	1.3%	2.1%

Return for Risk

VSGIX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSGIX

VSGIX Risk / Return Rank: 45
VSGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
VSGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
VSGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
VSGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VSGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

VSGIX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSGIX) 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.

	VSGIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	2.16	-0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	2.91	-0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.39	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	3.01	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.84	13.54	-2.69

VSGIX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSGIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSGIX 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

VSGIX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSGIX drawdown since its inception was -58.66%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSGIX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSGIX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.66%	-55.19%	-3.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.38%	-8.88%	-2.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.47%	-18.76%	-8.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.36%	-24.50%	-13.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.70%	-33.72%	-4.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-1.75%	+1.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.32%	-9.04%	-2.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.04%	1.97%	+1.07%

Volatility

VSGIX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSGIX) has a higher volatility of 7.29% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that VSGIX'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

	VSGIX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.29%	4.64%	+2.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.86%	9.75%	+6.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.29%	12.43%	+7.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.70%	17.14%	+6.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.05%	17.99%	+5.06%

VSGIX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSGIX has a 0.06% 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%.

Dividends

VSGIX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VSGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, 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%
VSGIX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.45%	0.55%	0.55%	0.68%	0.56%	0.37%	0.45%	0.58%	0.80%	0.82%	1.09%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSGIX and SPY in my portfolio?

VSGIX and SPY have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSGIX or SPY?

VSGIX has higher volatility (7.29%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSGIX dropped -58.66% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.63), 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.