MGV vs SPY
Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Value ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, MGV or SPY?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
MGV has a lower expense ratio. MGV led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. MGV is less concentrated, with 28.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | MGV | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $13.4B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.82% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 125 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +16.53%Best | +12.99% |
| 1Y Return | +21.82%Best | +16.73% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.33% | +22.52%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.04% | +13.07%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3%Best | 15.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -57.5% | -54.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,457 | $18,481Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 28.5%Best | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | 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 23, 2026 (18.8 years).
MGV 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 18.8 years both funds cover.
MGV vs SPY Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Value ETF (MGV) 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 MGV returned +21.82% while SPY returned +16.73%. Year to date, MGV is up 16.53% versus a gain of 12.99% for SPY.
Over three years, MGV compounded at +19.33% per year against +22.52% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +13.04% and +13.07% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +9.60% annualized vs +7.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 15.3% for MGV. 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 -57.5% for MGV 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MGV 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, MGV currently yields 1.82% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
97.7% of MGV's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 34.1% of SPY's money is in holdings MGV also owns.
Most of MGV is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
117 positions in common, counted across the 122 positions we hold weights for in MGV and 504 in SPY, against full books of 125 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 380 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for MGV (65.3% of the fund), and 4 for MGV that do not appear in SPY (2.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MGV | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.40% | 1.60% | 2.80% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 4.46% | 1.45% | 3.01% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 3.42% | 1.40% | 2.02% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 3.05% | 1.04% | 2.01% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.92% | 0.99% | 1.93% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 2.31% | 0.71% | 1.60% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 2.10% | 0.70% | 1.40% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 2.00% | 0.63% | 1.37% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.95% | 0.66% | 1.29% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.87% | 0.62% | 1.25% |
97.7% of MGV 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, MGV or SPY?
MGV has an expense ratio of 0.05% while SPY charges 0.09%. MGV is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MGV or SPY?
Over the past year MGV returned +21.82% vs +16.73% for SPY, so MGV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), MGV annualized +7.22% vs +9.60% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MGV or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 15.3% for MGV. Worst drawdown: MGV -57.5% vs SPY -54.5%.
Should I hold both MGV and SPY?
MGV and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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 MGV and SPY?
97.7% of MGV's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 34.1% of SPY's is in holdings MGV also owns. They hold 117 positions in common, counted across the 122 positions we hold weights for in MGV and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, MGV or SPY?
MGV yields 1.82% while SPY yields 0.98%, so MGV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than MGV?
MGV has a lower expense ratio. MGV led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. MGV is less concentrated, with 28.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.