VTWAX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VTWAX (Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VTWAX is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VTWAX returned 11.09%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for SPY. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VTWAX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VTWAX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) 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, VTWAX achieves a 12.26% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.15% return.

VTWAX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 1.56%
• YTD: 12.26%
• 6M: 11.52%
• 1Y: 28.37%
• 3Y*: 20.66%
• 5Y*: 11.09%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

VTWAX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.26%	22.43%	16.43%	21.85%	-18.02%	18.17%	16.67%	17.53%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	20.24%

Correlation

The correlation between VTWAX and SPY is 0.96 - 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	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	0.96

The correlation between VTWAX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTWAX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTWAX	SPY
Technology	31.1%	39.0%
Financial Services	15.2%	11.1%
Industrials	11.4%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	9.9%
Communication Services	8.0%	10.6%
Healthcare	7.9%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	4.5%
Basic Materials	4.1%	1.7%
Energy	3.8%	3.1%
Utilities	2.4%	2.1%
Real Estate	2.3%	1.8%

Return for Risk

VTWAX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTWAX

VTWAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VTWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VTWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VTWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VTWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VTWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

VTWAX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	VTWAX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.25	1.90	+0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.06	2.58	+0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.34	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	2.67	+0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.35	11.92	+1.43

VTWAX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTWAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.25, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTWAX 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

VTWAX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTWAX drawdown since its inception was -34.20%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTWAX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTWAX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.20%	-55.19%	+20.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.64%	-8.88%	-0.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.43%	-18.76%	+2.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.40%	-24.50%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-3.17%	+2.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.28%	-9.04%	+3.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	1.98%	+0.23%

Volatility

VTWAX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) has a higher volatility of 5.16% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that VTWAX'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

	VTWAX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.16%	4.87%	+0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.81%	9.85%	+0.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.14%	12.50%	+0.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.84%	17.15%	-1.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.22%	17.95%	+0.27%

VTWAX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTWAX 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

VTWAX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VTWAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.55%	1.80%	1.92%	2.06%	2.17%	1.79%	1.64%	2.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTWAX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, VTWAX and SPY 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, VTWAX or SPY?

VTWAX has higher volatility (5.16%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTWAX dropped -34.20% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 1.90), 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.