SPDW vs VEA
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF
Which is better, SPDW or VEA?
Each has led over a different period.
SPDW led over the full window, VEA over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
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 | SPDW | VEA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $41.1B | $238.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.92% | 2.49% |
| Holdings | 2,440 | 3,904 |
| YTD Return | +12.81%Best | +12.37% |
| 1Y Return | +19.67% | +19.72%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.15% | +20.59%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.84% | +10.26%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6%Best | 17.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -62.2%Best | -62.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,988 | $16,296Best |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 20, 2007 | Jul 20, 2007 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 26, 2007 to Oct 9, 2026 (19.2 years).
SPDW vs VEA 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 19.2 years both funds cover.
SPDW vs VEA Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPDW returned +19.67% while VEA returned +19.72%. Year to date, SPDW is up 12.81% versus a gain of 12.37% for VEA.
Over three years, SPDW compounded at +20.15% per year against +20.59% for VEA; over five years the annualized figures are +9.84% and +10.26% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, SPDW has the edge at +2.98% annualized vs +2.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VEA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.7% compared with 17.6% for SPDW. 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 -62.2% for SPDW and -62.9% for VEA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPDW charges 0.03% per year while VEA charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, SPDW currently yields 2.92% against 2.49% for VEA.
Holdings Overlap
At least 65.7% of SPDW's money is in holdings VEA also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VEA, our book for it covers 94.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
1,590 positions in common, counted across the 2,395 positions we hold weights for in SPDW and 3,754 in VEA, against full books of 2,440 and 3,904.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPDW | Weight in VEA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock Krw5000.0 | 2.13% | 1.94% | 0.19% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 1.05% | 1.13% | 0.08% |
| ROP:SMRoche Holding Ag Common Stock Chf.001 | 0.86% | 0.95% | 0.09% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank of Canada | 0.84% | 0.90% | 0.06% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 0.74% | 0.90% | 0.16% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.81% | 0.79% | 0.02% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.72% | 0.79% | 0.07% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa Reg Common Stock Chf.1 | 0.72% | 0.79% | 0.07% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag Reg Common Stock | 0.66% | 0.74% | 0.08% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 0.65% | 0.66% | 0.01% |
65.7% of SPDW is already inside VEA.
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, SPDW or VEA?
SPDW has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VEA charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, SPDW or VEA?
Over the past year SPDW returned +19.67% vs +19.72% for VEA, so VEA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), SPDW annualized +2.98% vs +2.93% for VEA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPDW or VEA?
VEA has been the more volatile fund at 17.7% annualized versus 17.6% for SPDW. Worst drawdown: SPDW -62.2% vs VEA -62.9%.
Should I hold both SPDW and VEA?
SPDW and VEA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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 SPDW and VEA?
At least 65.7% of SPDW's money is in holdings VEA also owns. Our book for VEA is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,590 positions in common, counted across the 2,395 positions we hold weights for in SPDW and 3,754 in VEA.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPDW or VEA?
SPDW yields 2.92% while VEA yields 2.49%, so SPDW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VEA better than SPDW?
SPDW led over the full window, VEA over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.