VSPMX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VSPMX (Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Institutional Shares) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VSPMX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VSPMX returned 11.70%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSPMX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VSPMX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPMX) 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, VSPMX achieves a 15.86% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.15% return. Over the past 10 years, VSPMX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 11.70%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.53% annualized return.

VSPMX

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 3.75%
• YTD: 15.86%
• 6M: 13.78%
• 1Y: 26.50%
• 3Y*: 16.38%
• 5Y*: 8.82%
• 10Y*: 11.70%

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

VSPMX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSPMX Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Institutional Shares	15.86%	7.11%	12.83%	17.42%	-13.12%	24.66%	13.53%	26.12%	-11.14%	16.18%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VSPMX and SPY is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2012	0.86

The correlation between VSPMX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.86 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VSPMX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSPMX

VSPMX Risk / Return Rank: 51
VSPMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VSPMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VSPMX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VSPMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VSPMX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

VSPMX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPMX) 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.

	VSPMX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	1.90	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	2.58	-0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.34	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.14	2.67	+0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.45	11.92	-0.47

VSPMX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSPMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSPMX 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

VSPMX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSPMX drawdown since its inception was -42.04%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSPMX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSPMX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.04%	-55.19%	+13.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.82%	-8.88%	+0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.27%	-18.76%	-5.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.27%	-24.50%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.04%	-33.72%	-8.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	-3.17%	+3.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.08%	-9.04%	+3.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.41%	1.98%	+0.43%

Volatility

VSPMX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPMX) is 4.55%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that VSPMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSPMX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.55%	4.87%	-0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.67%	9.85%	+1.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.78%	12.50%	+3.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.67%	17.15%	+2.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.04%	17.95%	+3.09%

VSPMX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSPMX has a 0.08% 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

VSPMX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VSPMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.21%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
VSPMX Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.21%	1.07%	1.32%	1.26%	1.59%	1.15%	1.24%	1.49%	1.64%	1.27%	1.54%	1.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSPMX and SPY in my portfolio?

VSPMX and SPY have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSPMX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to VSPMX (4.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSPMX dropped -42.04% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.76), 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.