SPY vs VEMY
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF
Which is better, SPY or VEMY?
Large Cap Blend against High Yield Bond.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | SPY | VEMY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.55% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $50M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 8.05% |
| Holdings | 505 | 189 |
| YTD Return | +12.47%Best | +5.40% |
| 1Y Return | +17.51%Best | +9.55% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.18%Best | +13.88% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.88% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.5% | 6.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -8.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.7 years | $19,808Best | $15,533 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Virtus Investment Partners |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | High Yield Bond |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Dec 12, 2022 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 13, 2022 to Sep 11, 2026 (3.7 years).
SPY vs VEMY 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 3.7 years both funds cover.
SPY vs VEMY Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (VEMY) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners. Over the past year SPY returned +17.51% while VEMY returned +9.55%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.47% versus a gain of 5.40% for VEMY.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.18% per year against +13.88% for VEMY. Across the full 4-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +20.29% annualized vs +12.64%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.5% compared with 6.8% for VEMY. 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 -18.8% for SPY and -8.8% for VEMY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while VEMY charges 0.55%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $55 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 8.05% for VEMY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and VEMY 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, SPY or VEMY?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VEMY charges 0.55%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or VEMY?
Over the past year SPY returned +17.51% vs +9.55% for VEMY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), SPY annualized +20.29% vs +12.64% for VEMY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or VEMY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 12.5% annualized versus 6.8% for VEMY. Worst drawdown: SPY -18.8% vs VEMY -8.8%.
Should I hold both SPY and VEMY?
SPY and VEMY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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, SPY or VEMY?
SPY yields 0.98% while VEMY yields 8.05%, so VEMY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VEMY better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.