SPY vs VDG
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Vanguard Developed Markets ex-US Growth Index ETF
Quick Verdict
VDG has a lower expense ratio. VDG offers more diversification with 634 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | VDG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.08% | |
| AUM | $821.1B | $33M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.32% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 634 | |
| YTD Return | +12.22% | +8.42% | |
| 1Y Return | +20.83% | - | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.70% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.98% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | - | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -6.4% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Mar 31, 2026 |
SPY vs VDG Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Developed Markets ex-US Growth Index ETF (VDG) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, SPY is up 12.22% versus a gain of 8.42% for VDG.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -56.5% for SPY and -6.4% for VDG. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while VDG charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $8 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.32% for VDG.
Holdings Overlap
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or VDG?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VDG charges 0.08%. VDG is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $1 per year of difference.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and VDG?
SPY and VDG share 2 common holdings with a 0.1% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 1115 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or VDG?
SPY yields 1.01% while VDG yields 0.32%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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