VUG vs. SPMD
VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) and SPMD (SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while SPMD is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VUG returned 18.30%/yr vs 11.85%/yr for SPMD. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VUG charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPMD.
Performance
VUG vs. SPMD - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VUG achieves a 7.94% return, which is significantly lower than SPMD's 15.96% return. Over the past 10 years, VUG has outperformed SPMD with an annualized return of 18.30%, while SPMD has yielded a comparatively lower 11.85% annualized return.
VUG
- 1D
- 2.81%
- 1M
- 0.27%
- YTD
- 7.94%
- 6M
- 9.17%
- 1Y
- 26.29%
- 3Y*
- 24.04%
- 5Y*
- 14.43%
- 10Y*
- 18.30%
SPMD
- 1D
- 0.39%
- 1M
- 5.72%
- YTD
- 15.96%
- 6M
- 14.71%
- 1Y
- 28.46%
- 3Y*
- 15.58%
- 5Y*
- 8.72%
- 10Y*
- 11.85%
VUG vs. SPMD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 7.94% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 27.35% | 40.25% | 37.03% | -3.32% | 27.72% |
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF | 15.96% | 7.44% | 13.91% | 16.48% | -13.13% | 24.76% | 13.46% | 25.19% | -10.34% | 15.12% |
Correlation
The correlation between VUG and SPMD is 0.57, 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 | 0.57 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2005 | 0.76 |
The correlation between VUG and SPMD shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (1 year) to 0.76 (all time), 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
VUG vs. SPMD — Risk / Return Rank
VUG
SPMD
VUG vs. SPMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD). 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.
| VUG | SPMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.45 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.32 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.60 | 3.23 | -1.63 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.50 | 11.84 | -6.34 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VUG vs. SPMD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VUG drawdown since its inception was -50.68%, smaller than the maximum SPMD drawdown of -57.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUG and SPMD.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VUG | SPMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.68% | -57.62% | +6.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.53% | -8.86% | -7.67% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.85% | -24.08% | +1.23% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.61% | -24.08% | -11.53% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.61% | -41.86% | +6.25% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.90% | 0.00% | -2.90% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.09% | -8.11% | +1.02% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.79% | 2.41% | +2.38% |
Volatility
VUG vs. SPMD - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a higher volatility of 6.32% compared to SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD) at 5.07%. This indicates that VUG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VUG | SPMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.32% | 5.07% | +1.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.28% | 11.74% | +1.54% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.65% | 15.86% | +0.79% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.34% | 19.75% | +2.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.51% | 21.20% | +0.31% |
VUG vs. SPMD - Expense Ratio Comparison
VUG has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than SPMD's 0.05% 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
VUG vs. SPMD - Dividend Comparison
VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than SPMD's 1.21% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF | 1.21% | 1.39% | 1.42% | 1.47% | 1.64% | 1.24% | 1.30% | 1.57% | 1.85% | 1.97% | 2.13% | 5.33% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 0.38% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VUG and SPMD have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VUG has higher volatility (6.32%) compared to SPMD (5.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUG dropped -50.68% vs SPMD's -57.62%.
On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 18.30% vs 11.85% for SPMD. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SPMD has been the lower-risk option at 5.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VUG has performed better with a 18.30% return vs 11.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for SPMD.
SPMD has the higher dividend yield at 1.21%, compared with 0.38% for VUG.
VUG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPMD is Mid Cap Blend Equities. VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while SPMD tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VUG and 0.05% for SPMD.
SPMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.59), 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 VUG and SPMD
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