VUG vs. SPYM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) and SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while SPYM is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VUG returned 17.90%/yr vs 15.52%/yr for SPYM. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VUG charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SPYM.

Performance

VUG vs. SPYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUG achieves a 4.99% return, which is significantly lower than SPYM's 9.10% return. Over the past 10 years, VUG has outperformed SPYM with an annualized return of 17.90%, while SPYM has yielded a comparatively lower 15.52% annualized return.

VUG

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -3.64%
• YTD: 4.99%
• 6M: 5.66%
• 1Y: 22.83%
• 3Y*: 23.38%
• 5Y*: 13.78%
• 10Y*: 17.90%

SPYM

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -0.85%
• YTD: 9.10%
• 6M: 9.42%
• 1Y: 25.76%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 13.43%
• 10Y*: 15.52%

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

VUG vs. SPYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	4.99%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	9.10%	17.79%	25.00%	26.24%	-18.09%	28.78%	18.49%	31.99%	-4.78%	21.30%

Correlation

The correlation between VUG and SPYM is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2005	0.83

The correlation between VUG and SPYM shifts across timeframes, from 0.83 (all time) to 0.94 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VUG vs. SPYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUG	SPYM
Technology	53.5%	39.0%
Communication Services	17.3%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	9.9%
Healthcare	4.6%	8.3%
Financial Services	4.3%	11.1%
Industrials	3.6%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	4.5%
Real Estate	1.0%	1.8%
Utilities	0.9%	2.1%
Basic Materials	0.6%	1.7%
Energy	0.4%	3.1%

Return for Risk

VUG vs. SPYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 36
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 33

SPYM

SPYM Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SPYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPYM Omega Ratio Rank: 72
SPYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPYM 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.

VUG vs. SPYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). 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	SPYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	2.00	-0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.78	2.70	-0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.36	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.29	2.75	-1.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.43	12.42	-8.00

VUG vs. SPYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUG Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is lower than the SPYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUG and SPYM, 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

VUG vs. SPYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUG drawdown since its inception was -50.68%, smaller than the maximum SPYM drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUG and SPYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUG	SPYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.68%	-54.46%	+3.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.53%	-8.90%	-7.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.85%	-18.72%	-4.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.61%	-24.48%	-11.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.61%	-33.87%	-1.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.56%	-2.35%	-3.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.09%	-7.15%	+0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.79%	1.97%	+2.82%

Volatility

VUG vs. SPYM - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a higher volatility of 5.73% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) at 4.33%. This indicates that VUG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUG	SPYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.73%	4.33%	+1.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.00%	9.58%	+3.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.46%	12.26%	+4.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.30%	16.87%	+5.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.48%	18.03%	+3.45%

VUG vs. SPYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUG has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYM's 0.02% expense ratio. However, 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. SPYM - Dividend Comparison

VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, less than SPYM's 1.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	1.29%	1.13%	1.28%	1.44%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.79%	2.23%	1.75%	1.97%	1.98%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.39%	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

Can I hold both VUG and SPYM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, VUG and SPYM 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, VUG or SPYM?

VUG has higher volatility (5.73%) compared to SPYM (4.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUG dropped -50.68% vs SPYM's -54.46%.

Which ETF is better, VUG or SPYM?

On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 17.90% vs 15.52% for SPYM. On fees, SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, SPYM has been the lower-risk option at 4.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VUG or SPYM?

Over the 10-year period, VUG has performed better with a 17.90% return vs 15.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VUG or SPYM?

SPYM is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.03% for VUG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VUG or SPYM?

SPYM has the higher dividend yield at 1.29%, compared with 0.39% for VUG.

What is the main difference between VUG and SPYM?

VUG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPYM is S&P 500. VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VUG and 0.02% for SPYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.29), 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.