SPDW vs VOO
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, SPDW or VOO?
Each has led over a different period.
SPDW led over 1Y, VOO over 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 | SPDW | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $42.1B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.92% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 2,440 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +16.06%Best | +14.14% |
| 1Y Return | +23.86%Best | +17.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.83% | +23.16%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.92% | +13.85%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.8% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,047 | $19,128Best |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 20, 2007 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 21, 2026 (16 years).
SPDW vs VOO 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 16 years both funds cover.
SPDW vs VOO Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPDW returned +23.86% while VOO returned +17.31%. Year to date, SPDW is up 16.06% versus a gain of 14.14% for VOO.
Over three years, SPDW compounded at +20.83% per year against +23.16% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +9.92% and +13.85% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.49% annualized vs +6.08%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPDW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -38.8% for SPDW and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPDW charges 0.03% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, SPDW currently yields 2.92% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.2% of VOO's money is in holdings SPDW also owns.
Stated as a floor: for SPDW, our book for it covers 86.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
3 positions in common, counted across the 2,129 positions we hold weights for in SPDW and 494 in VOO, against full books of 2,440 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPDW and VOO 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, SPDW or VOO?
SPDW has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VOO charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, SPDW or VOO?
Over the past year SPDW returned +23.86% vs +17.31% for VOO, so SPDW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SPDW annualized +6.08% vs +13.49% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPDW or VOO?
SPDW has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: SPDW -38.8% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both SPDW and VOO?
SPDW and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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, SPDW or VOO?
SPDW yields 2.92% while VOO yields 1.04%, so SPDW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than SPDW?
SPDW led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.