SPHY vs VTI

SPHY vs VTI

Which is better, SPHY or VTI?

High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: VTI

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

MetricSPHYVTI
Expense Ratio0.05%0.03%Best
AUM$11.9B$666.9B
Dividend Yield7.19%1.03%
Holdings1,9253,543
YTD Return+1.91%+12.28%Best
1Y Return+3.50%+16.78%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+8.11%+20.89%Best
5Y Return (annualized)+3.88%+11.94%Best
Volatility (annualized)8.5%Best17.1%
Max Drawdown-22.4%Best-35.0%
$10,000 over 5 years$12,096$17,576Best
Fund FamilyState Street Investment ManagementVanguard (US)
CategoryFixed IncomeEquity
StyleHigh Yield BondLarge Cap Blend
InceptionJun 18, 2012May 24, 2001

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 23, 2019 to Sep 17, 2026 (7 years).

SPHY vs VTI 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 7 years both funds cover.

SPHY vs VTI Performance

State Street SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPHY returned +3.50% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, SPHY is up 1.91% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.

Over three years, SPHY compounded at +8.11% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +3.88% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +15.06% annualized vs +3.62%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 8.5% for SPHY. 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 -22.4% for SPHY and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

SPHY charges 0.05% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $3 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPHY currently yields 7.19% against 1.03% for VTI.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 2 holdings in SPHY and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 0.5% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.

0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in SPHY and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 1,925 and 3,543.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of SPHY and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

SPHYVTI

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, SPHY or VTI?

SPHY has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, SPHY or VTI?

Over the past year SPHY returned +3.50% vs +16.78% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), SPHY annualized +3.62% vs +15.06% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, SPHY or VTI?

VTI has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 8.5% for SPHY. Worst drawdown: SPHY -22.4% vs VTI -35.0%.

Should I hold both SPHY and VTI?

SPHY and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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, SPHY or VTI?

SPHY yields 7.19% while VTI yields 1.03%, so SPHY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than SPHY?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.