EDV vs SPY
Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, EDV or SPY?
Long Term Government Bond against Large Cap Blend.
EDV has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | EDV | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $3.8B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.42% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 83 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -6.65% | +12.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | -10.79% | +17.51%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -4.49% | +21.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -13.09% | +12.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.8% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -62.0% | -54.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $4,958 | $18,327Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Government Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 6, 2007 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 13, 2007 to Sep 11, 2026 (18.7 years).
EDV vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 18.7 years both funds cover.
EDV vs SPY Performance
Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETF (EDV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year EDV returned -10.79% while SPY returned +17.51%. Year to date, EDV is down 6.65% versus a gain of 12.47% for SPY.
Over three years, EDV compounded at -4.49% per year against +21.18% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are -13.09% and +12.88% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +9.54% annualized vs -1.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EDV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.8% compared with 15.7% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -62.0% for EDV and -54.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.10. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EDV charges 0.05% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $9 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EDV currently yields 5.42% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EDV and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EDV or SPY?
EDV has an expense ratio of 0.05% while SPY charges 0.09%. EDV is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EDV or SPY?
Over the past year EDV returned -10.79% vs +17.51% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), EDV annualized -1.53% vs +9.54% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EDV or SPY?
EDV has been the more volatile fund at 21.8% annualized versus 15.7% for SPY. Worst drawdown: EDV -62.0% vs SPY -54.5%.
Should I hold both EDV and SPY?
EDV and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of -0.10, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, EDV or SPY?
EDV yields 5.42% while SPY yields 0.98%, so EDV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than EDV?
EDV has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.