SPTL vs VTI
State Street SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SPTL or VTI?
Long Term Government Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI led over 1Y, 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 | SPTL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $10.7B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.34% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 100 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -6.61% | +14.43%Best |
| 1Y Return | -8.56% | +18.05%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +1.27% | +22.93%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -7.23% | +12.74%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6%Best | 16.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -46.9%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $6,871 | $18,213Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Government Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 23, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 30, 2007 to Oct 12, 2026 (19.4 years).
SPTL 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
SPTL vs VTI Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF (SPTL) 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 SPTL returned -8.56% while VTI returned +18.05%. Year to date, SPTL is down 6.61% versus a gain of 14.43% for VTI.
Over three years, SPTL compounded at +1.27% per year against +22.93% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -7.23% and +12.74% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.12% annualized vs +0.67%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% compared with 12.6% for SPTL. 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 -46.9% for SPTL and -56.6% 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 -0.07. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPTL charges 0.03% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, SPTL currently yields 4.34% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in SPTL and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 0.0% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in SPTL and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 100 and 3,524.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPTL and VTI 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, SPTL or VTI?
SPTL 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, SPTL or VTI?
Over the past year SPTL returned -8.56% vs +18.05% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), SPTL annualized +0.67% vs +9.12% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPTL or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 12.6% for SPTL. Worst drawdown: SPTL -46.9% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both SPTL and VTI?
SPTL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of -0.07, 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, SPTL or VTI?
SPTL yields 4.34% while VTI yields 1.03%, so SPTL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SPTL?
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.