PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
VTI vs. SPTM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VTI vs. SPTM

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and SPTM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - VTI tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index while SPTM tracks the S&P Composite 1500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 15.07%/yr vs 15.21%/yr for SPTM. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.

Performance

VTI vs. SPTM - Performance Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VTI having a 10.70% return and SPTM slightly lower at 10.52%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VTI having a 15.07% annualized return and SPTM not far ahead at 15.21%.

VTI

1D
1.16%
1M
1.34%
YTD
10.70%
6M
10.70%
1Y
27.58%
3Y*
20.67%
5Y*
12.86%
10Y*
15.07%

SPTM

1D
1.06%
1M
1.04%
YTD
10.52%
6M
10.62%
1Y
27.22%
3Y*
20.47%
5Y*
13.65%
10Y*
15.21%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VTI vs. SPTM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		10.70%17.10%23.81%26.05%-19.52%25.68%21.08%30.67%-5.23%21.21%
SPTM
SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF		10.52%16.93%23.87%25.55%-17.75%28.58%17.94%31.34%-5.30%21.18%

Correlation

The correlation between VTI and SPTM is 1.00 - 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

1.00

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

1.00

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

1.00

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.99

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2001

0.95

The correlation between VTI and SPTM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTI vs. SPTM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VTI
SPTM

Technology

37.0%
37.4%

Financial Services

11.3%
11.4%

Communication Services

9.8%
10.0%

Consumer Cyclical

9.7%
10.1%

Industrials

9.4%
8.9%

Healthcare

9.0%
8.4%

Consumer Defensive

4.3%
4.4%

Energy

3.3%
3.3%

Real Estate

2.3%
2.2%

Utilities

2.1%
2.1%

Basic Materials

1.9%
1.9%

Technology

VTI
37.0%
SPTM
37.4%

Financial Services

VTI
11.3%
SPTM
11.4%

Communication Services

VTI
9.8%
SPTM
10.0%

Consumer Cyclical

VTI
9.7%
SPTM
10.1%

Industrials

VTI
9.4%
SPTM
8.9%

Healthcare

VTI
9.0%
SPTM
8.4%

Consumer Defensive

VTI
4.3%
SPTM
4.4%

Energy

VTI
3.3%
SPTM
3.3%

Real Estate

VTI
2.3%
SPTM
2.2%

Utilities

VTI
2.1%
SPTM
2.1%

Basic Materials

VTI
1.9%
SPTM
1.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF

Often compared with VTI:
VTI vs. VOOVTI vs. VXUSVTI vs. SPYVTI vs. VTVTI vs. SCHDVTI vs. FZROXVTI vs. QQQ
Often compared with SPTM:
SPTM vs. SPYSPTM vs. VOOSPTM vs. ITOTSPTM vs. SCHGSPTM vs. BKLCSPTM vs. SCHDSPTM vs. VT

Return for Risk

VTI vs. SPTM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VTI
VTI Risk / Return Rank: 6969
Overall Rank
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6565
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
SPTM
SPTM Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
SPTM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SPTM Sortino Ratio Rank: 6969
Sortino Ratio Rank
SPTM Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
SPTM Calmar Ratio Rank: 6565
Calmar Ratio Rank
SPTM Martin Ratio Rank: 7777
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VTI vs. SPTM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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.

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.

VTISPTMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.15
2.18

-0.03

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.91
2.95

-0.04

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.39

1.39

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.07

3.12

-0.04

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.75

14.11

-0.36

VTI vs. SPTM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTI Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the SPTM Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTI 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.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

VTI vs. SPTM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, roughly equal to the maximum SPTM drawdown of -54.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and SPTM.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

VTISPTMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.45%

-54.80%

-0.65%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.92%

-8.68%

-0.24%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.30%

-18.87%

-0.43%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.36%

-24.14%

-1.22%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.00%

-34.66%

-0.34%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.17%

-1.18%

+0.01%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.01%

-9.04%

+1.03%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.99%

1.91%

+0.08%

Volatility

VTI vs. SPTM - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) have volatilities of 4.84% and 4.70%, 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.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

VTISPTMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.84%

4.70%

+0.14%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.03%

9.80%

+0.23%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.74%

12.43%

+0.31%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.50%

16.96%

+0.54%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.35%

18.07%

+0.28%

VTI vs. SPTM - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VTI and SPTM 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. SPTM - Dividend Comparison

VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than SPTM's 1.04% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		1.02%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

With a correlation of 1.00, VTI 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.

VTI has higher volatility (4.84%) compared to SPTM (4.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs SPTM's -54.80%.

On 10-year performance, SPTM leads with 15.21% vs 15.07% for VTI. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, SPTM has been the lower-risk option at 4.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, SPTM has performed better with a 15.21% return vs 15.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VTI and SPTM have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.

SPTM has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 1.02% for VTI.

VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, while SPTM tracks S&P Composite 1500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street.

SPTM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 2.15), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VTI and SPTM

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