SPY vs VGUS
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF
Quick Verdict
VGUS has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | VGUS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.07% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $1.0B | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 3.60% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 91 | |
| YTD Return | +13.39% | +1.80% | |
| 1Y Return | +22.52% | +3.48% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.36% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.19% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 0.7% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -0.3% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) | |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Feb 7, 2025 |
SPY vs VGUS Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPY returned +22.52% while VGUS returned +3.48%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.39% versus a gain of 1.80% for VGUS.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 0.7% for VGUS. 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 -56.5% for SPY and -0.3% for VGUS. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.08. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while VGUS charges 0.07%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $7 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 3.60% for VGUS.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and VGUS share 0 holdings out of 554 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.0% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or VGUS?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VGUS charges 0.07%. VGUS is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $2 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or VGUS?
Over the past year SPY returned +22.52% vs +3.48% for VGUS, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SPY annualized +8.84% vs +4.60% for VGUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or VGUS?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 0.7% for VGUS. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs VGUS -0.3%.
Should I hold both SPY and VGUS?
SPY and VGUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.08, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and VGUS?
SPY and VGUS share 0 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 554 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or VGUS?
SPY yields 1.01% while VGUS yields 3.60%, so VGUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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