VTMGX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VTMGX (Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VTMGX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed 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, VTMGX returned 10.45%/yr vs 15.42%/yr for SPY. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTMGX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VTMGX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTMGX) 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, VTMGX achieves a 13.89% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.07% return. Over the past 10 years, VTMGX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 10.45%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.42% annualized return.

VTMGX

• 1D: 3.45%
• 1M: 0.53%
• YTD: 13.89%
• 6M: 15.93%
• 1Y: 28.77%
• 3Y*: 19.10%
• 5Y*: 9.34%
• 10Y*: 10.45%

SPY

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 9.42%
• 1Y: 24.27%
• 3Y*: 20.86%
• 5Y*: 13.36%
• 10Y*: 15.42%

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

VTMGX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTMGX Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares	13.89%	35.17%	3.03%	17.65%	-15.33%	11.39%	10.25%	22.04%	-14.48%	26.39%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.07%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VTMGX and SPY is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
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 Aug 17, 1999	0.72

The correlation between VTMGX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTMGX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTMGX	SPY
Financial Services	23.3%	11.8%
Industrials	19.2%	7.8%
Technology	13.8%	35.9%
Healthcare	8.2%	8.4%
Basic Materials	7.5%	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.6%	4.8%
Energy	5.4%	3.6%
Communication Services	3.4%	11.3%
Utilities	3.3%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.7%	1.9%

Return for Risk

VTMGX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTMGX

VTMGX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VTMGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VTMGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VTMGX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VTMGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTMGX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY 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.

VTMGX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTMGX) 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.

	VTMGX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	1.98	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	2.68	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.36	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.57	2.74	-0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.82	12.39	-2.57

VTMGX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTMGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTMGX 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

VTMGX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTMGX drawdown since its inception was -60.58%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTMGX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTMGX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.58%	-55.19%	-5.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.67%	-8.88%	-2.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.18%	-18.76%	+5.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.71%	-24.50%	-5.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.68%	-33.72%	-1.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.72%	-2.35%	+0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.64%	-9.04%	-5.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.05%	1.97%	+1.08%

Volatility

VTMGX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTMGX) has a higher volatility of 6.63% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.34%. This indicates that VTMGX'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

	VTMGX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.63%	4.34%	+2.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.63%	9.58%	+4.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.99%	12.29%	+3.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.04%	17.12%	-1.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.59%	17.96%	-1.37%

VTMGX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTMGX has a 0.07% 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

VTMGX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VTMGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.63%, more than SPY's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
VTMGX Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.63%	3.20%	3.34%	3.14%	2.88%	3.14%	2.02%	3.03%	3.33%	2.77%	3.06%	2.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTMGX and SPY in my portfolio?

VTMGX and SPY have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTMGX or SPY?

VTMGX has higher volatility (6.63%) compared to SPY (4.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTMGX dropped -60.58% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.88), 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.