VTHR vs. SPTM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTHR (Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF) and SPTM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - VTHR tracks the Russell 3000 Index while SPTM tracks the S&P Composite 1500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTHR returned 14.95%/yr vs 15.21%/yr for SPTM. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTHR charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPTM.

Performance

VTHR vs. SPTM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VTHR having a 10.94% return and SPTM slightly higher at 11.10%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VTHR having a 14.95% annualized return and SPTM not far ahead at 15.21%.

VTHR

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 4.88%
• YTD: 10.94%
• 6M: 10.83%
• 1Y: 27.71%
• 3Y*: 21.93%
• 5Y*: 12.66%
• 10Y*: 14.95%

SPTM

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 4.87%
• YTD: 11.10%
• 6M: 11.13%
• 1Y: 27.84%
• 3Y*: 21.90%
• 5Y*: 13.38%
• 10Y*: 15.21%

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

VTHR vs. SPTM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	10.94%	16.99%	23.57%	25.92%	-19.20%	25.49%	20.93%	30.82%	-5.65%	21.06%
SPTM SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF	11.10%	16.93%	23.87%	25.55%	-17.75%	28.58%	17.94%	31.34%	-5.30%	21.18%

Correlation

The correlation between VTHR and SPTM is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.93

The correlation between VTHR and SPTM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTHR vs. SPTM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTHR	SPTM
Technology	33.1%	34.0%
Financial Services	12.1%	12.1%
Communication Services	10.5%	10.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	10.3%
Industrials	9.6%	9.4%
Healthcare	9.1%	8.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.8%
Energy	3.8%	3.7%
Real Estate	2.4%	2.3%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Basic Materials	2.2%	2.0%

Return for Risk

VTHR vs. SPTM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTHR

VTHR Risk / Return Rank: 67
VTHR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VTHR Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VTHR Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VTHR Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTHR Martin Ratio Rank: 74

SPTM

SPTM Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPTM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SPTM Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPTM Omega Ratio Rank: 69
SPTM Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SPTM Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

VTHR vs. SPTM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM). 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.

	VTHR	SPTM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	2.36	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	3.23	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.43	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.12	3.22	-0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.34	15.01	-0.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTHR vs. SPTM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTHR Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the SPTM Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTHR and SPTM, 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

	VTHR	SPTM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27	2.36	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.80	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.85	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.46	+0.40

Drawdowns

VTHR vs. SPTM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTHR drawdown since its inception was -34.61%, smaller than the maximum SPTM drawdown of -54.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTHR and SPTM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTHR	SPTM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.61%	-54.80%	+20.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-8.68%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-18.87%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-24.14%	-0.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.61%	-34.66%	+0.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.70%	-0.67%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.04%	-9.05%	+5.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	1.86%	+0.08%

Volatility

VTHR vs. SPTM - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) have volatilities of 2.98% and 2.88%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTHR	SPTM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.98%	2.88%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.28%	8.92%	+0.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.30%	11.88%	+0.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.30%	16.87%	+0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.84%	18.03%	-0.19%

VTHR vs. SPTM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTHR has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than SPTM's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VTHR vs. SPTM - Dividend Comparison

VTHR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than SPTM's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPTM SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF	1.04%	1.13%	1.28%	1.44%	1.69%	1.25%	1.56%	1.72%	1.90%	1.66%	1.91%	1.92%
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	1.00%	1.08%	1.19%	1.47%	1.52%	1.16%	1.37%	1.65%	1.89%	1.63%	1.82%	1.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTHR and SPTM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, VTHR and SPTM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VTHR or SPTM?

VTHR has higher volatility (2.98%) compared to SPTM (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTHR dropped -34.61% vs SPTM's -54.80%.

Which ETF is better, VTHR or SPTM?

On 10-year performance, SPTM leads with 15.21% vs 14.95% for VTHR. On fees, SPTM is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SPTM has been the lower-risk option at 2.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTHR or SPTM?

Over the 10-year period, SPTM has performed better with a 15.21% return vs 14.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTHR or SPTM?

SPTM is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for VTHR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTHR or SPTM?

SPTM has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 1.00% for VTHR.

What is the main difference between VTHR and SPTM?

VTHR tracks Russell 3000 Index, while SPTM tracks S&P Composite 1500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VTHR and 0.03% for SPTM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPTM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 2.27), 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.