VTI vs. SPAB
VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and SPAB (SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while SPAB is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 15.02%/yr vs 1.54%/yr for SPAB. At a correlation of -0.12, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VTI vs. SPAB - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTI achieves a 9.62% return, which is significantly higher than SPAB's 0.53% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has outperformed SPAB with an annualized return of 15.02%, while SPAB has yielded a comparatively lower 1.54% annualized return.
VTI
- 1D
- 0.57%
- 1M
- 1.00%
- YTD
- 9.62%
- 6M
- 9.69%
- 1Y
- 26.27%
- 3Y*
- 20.60%
- 5Y*
- 12.20%
- 10Y*
- 15.02%
SPAB
- 1D
- -0.08%
- 1M
- 1.06%
- YTD
- 0.53%
- 6M
- 0.89%
- 1Y
- 4.87%
- 3Y*
- 4.18%
- 5Y*
- 0.04%
- 10Y*
- 1.54%
VTI vs. SPAB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 9.62% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
SPAB SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.53% | 7.25% | 1.25% | 5.56% | -13.04% | -1.77% | 7.39% | 8.67% | -0.18% | 3.71% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTI and SPAB is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 30, 2007 | -0.12 |
The correlation between VTI and SPAB shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (all time) to 0.34 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VTI vs. SPAB — Risk / Return Rank
VTI
SPAB
VTI vs. SPAB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB). 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.
| VTI | SPAB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.76 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.84 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.21 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.79 | 1.65 | +1.14 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.52 | 4.71 | +7.81 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VTI vs. SPAB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, which is greater than SPAB's maximum drawdown of -18.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and SPAB.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VTI | SPAB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.45% | -18.56% | -36.89% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.92% | -2.74% | -6.18% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.30% | -6.08% | -13.22% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.36% | -17.96% | -7.40% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.00% | -18.56% | -16.44% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.14% | -2.04% | -0.10% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.02% | -3.08% | -4.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.99% | 0.96% | +1.03% |
Volatility
VTI vs. SPAB - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a higher volatility of 4.50% compared to SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB) at 1.23%. This indicates that VTI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPAB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VTI | SPAB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.50% | 1.23% | +3.27% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.82% | 2.64% | +7.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.64% | 3.73% | +8.91% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.47% | 5.92% | +11.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.33% | 5.54% | +12.79% |
VTI vs. SPAB - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VTI and SPAB have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VTI vs. SPAB - Dividend Comparison
VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than SPAB's 4.04% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPAB SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF | 4.04% | 3.97% | 3.86% | 3.34% | 2.59% | 2.11% | 2.43% | 2.92% | 2.96% | 2.67% | 2.63% | 2.59% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.03% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VTI and SPAB have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VTI has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to SPAB (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs SPAB's -18.56%.
On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.02% vs 1.54% for SPAB. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, SPAB has been the lower-risk option at 1.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.02% return vs 1.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTI and SPAB have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
SPAB has the higher dividend yield at 4.04%, compared with 1.03% for VTI.
VTI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SPAB is Total Bond Market. VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, while SPAB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.21), 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.
Find the right allocation for VTI and SPAB
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer