VWILX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VWILX (Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VWILX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VWILX returned 9.94%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VWILX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VWILX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX) 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, VWILX achieves a 6.25% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, VWILX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.94%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

VWILX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 4.18%
• YTD: 6.25%
• 6M: 6.75%
• 1Y: 13.81%
• 3Y*: 12.51%
• 5Y*: -1.21%
• 10Y*: 9.94%

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)

VWILX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWILX Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares	6.25%	20.08%	9.18%	14.80%	-30.80%	-12.81%	59.77%	31.50%	-12.58%	43.17%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VWILX and SPY is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 14, 2001	0.76

The correlation between VWILX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

VWILX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWILX	SPY
Technology	27.5%	35.9%
Consumer Cyclical	17.5%	10.3%
Industrials	13.3%	7.8%
Financial Services	12.2%	11.8%
Healthcare	10.6%	8.4%
Communication Services	6.2%	11.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	4.8%
Basic Materials	2.6%	1.8%
Energy	1.9%	3.6%
Utilities	0.5%	2.4%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

VWILX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWILX

VWILX Risk / Return Rank: 10
VWILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
VWILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
VWILX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VWILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
VWILX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

VWILX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX) 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.

	VWILX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.76	2.38	-1.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.16	3.24	-2.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.43	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.96	3.16	-2.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.10	14.72	-11.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWILX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWILX Sharpe Ratio is 0.76, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWILX 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

	VWILX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76	2.38	-1.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.05	0.82	-0.87
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.87	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.59	-0.24

Drawdowns

VWILX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWILX drawdown since its inception was -59.49%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWILX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWILX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.49%	-55.19%	-4.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.06%	-8.88%	-5.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.02%	-18.76%	-1.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.56%	-24.50%	-29.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.08%	-33.72%	-20.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.66%	-0.70%	-13.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.09%	-9.05%	-6.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.36%	1.91%	+2.45%

Volatility

VWILX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX) has a higher volatility of 4.73% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that VWILX'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

	VWILX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.73%	2.84%	+1.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.45%	8.90%	+5.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.96%	11.83%	+6.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.43%	17.05%	+6.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.70%	17.94%	+3.76%

VWILX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWILX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWILX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VWILX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.49%, 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%
VWILX Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares	6.49%	6.89%	9.81%	1.92%	7.03%	0.36%	2.38%	1.30%	5.52%	0.84%	1.42%	1.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWILX and SPY in my portfolio?

VWILX and SPY have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWILX or SPY?

VWILX has higher volatility (4.73%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWILX dropped -59.49% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.76), 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.