VTIAX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTIAX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VTIAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTIAX returned 9.85%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTIAX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VTIAX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) 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, VTIAX achieves a 15.40% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, VTIAX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.85%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

VTIAX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 5.53%
• YTD: 15.40%
• 6M: 18.19%
• 1Y: 33.34%
• 3Y*: 19.78%
• 5Y*: 8.81%
• 10Y*: 9.85%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

VTIAX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	15.40%	32.18%	5.34%	15.28%	-16.02%	8.59%	11.27%	21.52%	-14.46%	27.54%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VTIAX and SPY is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2010	0.81

The correlation between VTIAX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTIAX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTIAX	SPY
Financial Services	22.3%	11.8%
Technology	18.1%	35.9%
Industrials	16.1%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	10.3%
Basic Materials	7.6%	1.8%
Healthcare	7.1%	8.4%
Energy	5.2%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	4.8%
Communication Services	4.4%	11.3%
Utilities	3.2%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.6%	1.9%

Return for Risk

VTIAX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTIAX

VTIAX Risk / Return Rank: 58
VTIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VTIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VTIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VTIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VTIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

VTIAX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) 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.

	VTIAX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	2.38	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	3.24	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.43	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.91	3.16	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.49	14.72	-3.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTIAX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTIAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTIAX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VTIAX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	2.38	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.82	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	0.87	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.59	-0.14

Drawdowns

VTIAX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTIAX drawdown since its inception was -35.83%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTIAX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTIAX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.83%	-55.19%	+19.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.28%	-8.88%	-2.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.13%	-18.76%	+5.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.56%	-24.50%	-5.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.83%	-33.72%	-2.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.70%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.08%	-9.05%	+0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.85%	1.91%	+0.94%

Volatility

VTIAX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) has a higher volatility of 4.80% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that VTIAX'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

	VTIAX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.80%	2.84%	+1.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.90%	8.90%	+3.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.22%	11.83%	+2.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.04%	17.05%	-2.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.93%	17.94%	-2.01%

VTIAX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTIAX has a 0.09% 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

VTIAX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VTIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.60%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.60%	3.15%	3.33%	3.22%	3.04%	3.05%	2.10%	3.04%	3.16%	2.73%	2.93%	2.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTIAX and SPY in my portfolio?

VTIAX and SPY have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTIAX or SPY?

VTIAX has higher volatility (4.80%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTIAX dropped -35.83% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.31), 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.