VWICX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VWICX (Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Investor Shares) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VWICX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 5 years, VWICX returned 11.86%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VWICX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VWICX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Investor Shares (VWICX) 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, VWICX achieves a 14.89% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return.

VWICX

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: 5.08%
• YTD: 14.89%
• 6M: 17.43%
• 1Y: 35.73%
• 3Y*: 23.20%
• 5Y*: 11.86%
• 10Y*: —

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)

VWICX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VWICX Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Investor Shares	14.89%	38.41%	8.62%	14.30%	-10.76%	11.70%	9.12%	7.42%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	9.32%

Correlation

The correlation between VWICX 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	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2019	0.76

The correlation between VWICX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

VWICX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWICX	SPY
Financial Services	24.1%	11.8%
Technology	16.0%	35.9%
Industrials	11.6%	7.8%
Healthcare	8.7%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	10.3%
Basic Materials	7.7%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	6.2%	4.8%
Communication Services	5.8%	11.3%
Energy	5.2%	3.6%
Utilities	4.0%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.2%	1.9%

Return for Risk

VWICX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWICX

VWICX Risk / Return Rank: 67
VWICX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VWICX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VWICX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VWICX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VWICX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

VWICX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Investor Shares (VWICX) 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.

	VWICX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	2.38	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.30	3.24	+0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.43	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	3.16	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.76	14.72	-1.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWICX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWICX Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWICX 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

	VWICX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.42	2.38	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.82	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.59	+0.16

Drawdowns

VWICX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWICX drawdown since its inception was -34.37%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWICX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWICX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.37%	-55.19%	+20.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.84%	-8.88%	-1.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.28%	-18.76%	+5.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.94%	-24.50%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.70%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.75%	-9.05%	+3.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	1.91%	+0.85%

Volatility

VWICX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Investor Shares (VWICX) has a higher volatility of 4.74% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that VWICX'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

	VWICX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.74%	2.84%	+1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.07%	8.90%	+3.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.60%	11.83%	+2.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.27%	17.05%	-1.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.92%	17.94%	-0.02%

VWICX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWICX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWICX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VWICX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.77%, 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%
VWICX Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Investor Shares	3.77%	4.33%	2.58%	2.10%	1.99%	4.27%	1.80%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWICX and SPY in my portfolio?

VWICX 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, VWICX or SPY?

VWICX has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWICX dropped -34.37% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWICX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 2.38), 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.