VWO vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VWO returned 9.01%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for SPY. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VWO charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VWO vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) 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, VWO achieves a 13.82% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, VWO has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.01%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.57% annualized return.

VWO

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 3.73%
• YTD: 13.82%
• 6M: 15.26%
• 1Y: 32.89%
• 3Y*: 18.58%
• 5Y*: 5.66%
• 10Y*: 9.01%

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

VWO vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	13.82%	25.60%	10.59%	9.25%	-17.98%	1.26%	15.17%	20.75%	-14.76%	31.49%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VWO and SPY is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2005	0.74

The correlation between VWO and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (5 years) to 0.74 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VWO vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWO	SPY
Technology	29.6%	35.9%
Financial Services	19.5%	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	10.3%
Industrials	8.0%	7.8%
Basic Materials	8.0%	1.8%
Communication Services	7.1%	11.3%
Energy	4.6%	3.6%
Healthcare	3.9%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	4.8%
Utilities	2.9%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.2%	1.9%

Return for Risk

VWO vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 61
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 61

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

VWO vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) 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.

	VWO	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	2.52	-0.43
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	3.42	-0.54
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.46	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	3.42	-0.39
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.94	15.93	-4.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWO vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWO Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWO 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

	VWO	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	2.52	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.84	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.87	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.59	-0.32

Drawdowns

VWO vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWO drawdown since its inception was -67.68%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWO and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWO	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.68%	-55.19%	-12.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.17%	-8.88%	-2.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.37%	-18.76%	+1.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.64%	-24.50%	-8.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.39%	-33.72%	-2.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.82%	-9.05%	-6.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	1.91%	+1.18%

Volatility

VWO vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) has a higher volatility of 5.41% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that VWO'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

	VWO	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.41%	2.75%	+2.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.13%	8.89%	+4.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.83%	11.81%	+4.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.36%	17.05%	+0.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.20%	17.94%	+1.26%

VWO vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWO has a 0.08% 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

VWO vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.37%, more than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.37%	2.79%	3.20%	3.52%	4.11%	2.63%	1.91%	3.23%	2.88%	2.30%	2.52%	3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWO and SPY in my portfolio?

VWO and SPY have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWO or SPY?

VWO has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWO dropped -67.68% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, VWO or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.57% vs 9.01% for VWO. On fees, VWO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VWO or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.57% return vs 9.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VWO or SPY?

VWO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for SPY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VWO or SPY?

VWO has the higher dividend yield at 2.37%, compared with 0.97% for SPY.

What is the main difference between VWO and SPY?

VWO is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. VWO tracks FTSE Emerging Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VWO and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.09), 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.