MGK vs SPY
Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, MGK or SPY?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
MGK has a lower expense ratio. MGK led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SPY over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 67.1%.
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 | MGK | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $32.4B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.33% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 55 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +8.66% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.40% | +15.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.03%Best | +20.73% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.99%Best | +12.53% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.9%Best | -54.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,416Best | $18,044 |
| Top 10 Weight | 67.1% | 37.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 17, 2007 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 21, 2007 to Sep 16, 2026 (18.7 years).
MGK 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.
MGK vs SPY Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK) 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 MGK returned +12.40% while SPY returned +15.52%. Year to date, MGK is up 8.66% versus a gain of 10.96% for SPY.
Over three years, MGK compounded at +24.03% per year against +20.73% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +12.99% and +12.53% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, MGK has the edge at +12.49% annualized vs +9.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MGK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% 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 -48.9% for MGK 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MGK 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, MGK currently yields 0.33% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
98.9% of MGK's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 50.8% of SPY's money is in holdings MGK also owns.
Most of MGK is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
54 positions in common, counted across the 57 positions we hold weights for in MGK and 504 in SPY, against full books of 55 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 57 and 504 positions we hold weights for.
SPY holds 443 positions MGK does not, 48.6% of the fund.
Largest: MU 1.60%, JPM 1.45%, BRK.B 1.40%, XOM 1.04%, JNJ 0.99%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MGK | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 13.54% | 8.01% | 5.53% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 13.21% | 7.26% | 5.95% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 9.51% | 5.66% | 3.85% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 6.00% | 2.99% | 3.01% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 5.17% | 3.79% | 1.38% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 4.79% | 2.39% | 2.40% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.48% | 2.66% | 1.82% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.10% | 1.93% | 2.17% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 3.31% | 1.40% | 1.91% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.95% | 1.52% | 1.43% |
98.9% of MGK is already inside SPY.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MGK or SPY?
MGK has an expense ratio of 0.05% while SPY charges 0.09%. MGK is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MGK or SPY?
Over the past year MGK returned +12.40% vs +15.52% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), MGK annualized +12.49% vs +9.51% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MGK or SPY?
MGK has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 15.7% for SPY. Worst drawdown: MGK -48.9% vs SPY -54.5%.
Should I hold both MGK and SPY?
MGK and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between MGK and SPY?
98.9% of MGK's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 50.8% of SPY's is in holdings MGK also owns. They hold 54 positions in common, counted across the 57 positions we hold weights for in MGK and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, MGK or SPY?
MGK yields 0.33% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than MGK?
MGK has a lower expense ratio. MGK led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SPY over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 67.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.