SPSM vs VTI
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SPSM or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
SPSM led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPSM is less concentrated, with 5.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | SPSM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $16.7B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.40% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 611 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +16.98%Best | +12.08% |
| 1Y Return | +20.70%Best | +16.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.79% | +20.83%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.03% | +11.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.4% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,045 | $17,537Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.3%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 8, 2013 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 9, 2013 to Sep 14, 2026 (13.2 years).
SPSM 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 13.2 years both funds cover.
SPSM vs VTI Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) 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 SPSM returned +20.70% while VTI returned +16.31%. Year to date, SPSM is up 16.98% versus a gain of 12.08% for VTI.
Over three years, SPSM compounded at +14.79% per year against +20.83% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.03% and +11.89% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.53% annualized vs +8.64%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% compared with 14.8% for VTI. 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 -44.4% for SPSM 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPSM charges 0.03% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, SPSM currently yields 1.40% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.5% of SPSM's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.8% of VTI's money is in holdings SPSM also owns.
Most of SPSM is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
588 positions in common, counted across the 601 positions we hold weights for in SPSM and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 611 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 974 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for SPSM (95.7% of the fund), and 10 for SPSM that do not appear in VTI (1.4%).
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 SPSM | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CORTCorcept Therapeutics Incorporated | 0.60% | 0.01% | 0.59% |
| GKOSGlaukos Corp. | 0.59% | 0.01% | 0.58% |
| EATBrinker International, Inc. | 0.55% | 0.01% | 0.54% |
| PAYCPaycom Software Inc . | 0.55% | 0.01% | 0.54% |
| MTCHMatch Group Inc | 0.54% | 0.01% | 0.53% |
| JXNJackson Financial Inc USD | 0.52% | 0.01% | 0.51% |
| VSATViasat Inc | 0.51% | 0.01% | 0.50% |
| KMXCarmax Inc. | 0.49% | 0.01% | 0.48% |
| RHPRyman Healthcare Limited | 0.49% | 0.01% | 0.48% |
| PTGXProtagonist Therapeutics Inc | 0.48% | 0.01% | 0.47% |
97.5% of SPSM is already inside VTI.
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, SPSM or VTI?
SPSM has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VTI charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, SPSM or VTI?
Over the past year SPSM returned +20.70% vs +16.31% for VTI, so SPSM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), SPSM annualized +8.64% vs +12.53% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPSM or VTI?
SPSM has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SPSM -44.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both SPSM and VTI?
SPSM and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SPSM and VTI?
97.5% of SPSM's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.8% of VTI's is in holdings SPSM also owns. They hold 588 positions in common, counted across the 601 positions we hold weights for in SPSM and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPSM or VTI?
SPSM yields 1.40% while VTI yields 1.03%, so SPSM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SPSM?
SPSM led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPSM is less concentrated, with 5.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.