SPY vs VNQ
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Vanguard Real Estate ETF
Which is better, SPY or VNQ?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.8%.
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 | VNQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.13% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $39.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 3.49% |
| Holdings | 505 | 144 |
| YTD Return | +12.22%Best | +8.05% |
| 1Y Return | +16.97%Best | +5.86% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.16%Best | +9.23% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.00%Best | +1.33% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8%Best | 21.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5%Best | -75.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,424Best | $10,683 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8%Best | 49.8% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Sep 23, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 29, 2004 to Sep 17, 2026 (22 years).
SPY vs VNQ 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 22 years both funds cover.
SPY vs VNQ Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPY returned +16.97% while VNQ returned +5.86%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.22% versus a gain of 8.05% for VNQ.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.16% per year against +9.23% for VNQ; over five years the annualized figures are +13.00% and +1.33% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +9.50% annualized vs +3.89%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VNQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.4% compared with 14.8% for SPY. 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 -75.8% for VNQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while VNQ charges 0.13%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $13 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 3.49% for VNQ.
Holdings Overlap
1.8% of SPY's money is in holdings VNQ also owns. 71.7% of VNQ's money is in holdings SPY also owns.
Most of VNQ is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
30 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 139 in VNQ, against full books of 505 and 144.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 504 and 139 positions we hold weights for.
SPY holds 467 positions VNQ does not, 97.5% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.01%, AAPL 7.26%, MSFT 5.66%, AMZN 3.79%, GOOGL 2.99%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPY | Weight in VNQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 0.26% | 9.92% | 9.66% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 0.20% | 8.17% | 7.97% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 0.15% | 6.10% | 5.95% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 0.12% | 4.90% | 4.78% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 0.10% | 4.52% | 4.42% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 0.10% | 3.93% | 3.83% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 0.09% | 3.58% | 3.49% |
| PSAPublic Storage | 0.08% | 3.30% | 3.22% |
| VTRVentas Inc . | 0.07% | 2.70% | 2.63% |
| CBRECbre Services Inc | 0.06% | 2.63% | 2.57% |
71.7% of VNQ is already inside SPY.
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, SPY or VNQ?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VNQ charges 0.13%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or VNQ?
Over the past year SPY returned +16.97% vs +5.86% for VNQ, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), SPY annualized +9.50% vs +3.89% for VNQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or VNQ?
VNQ has been the more volatile fund at 21.4% annualized versus 14.8% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs VNQ -75.8%.
Should I hold both SPY and VNQ?
SPY and VNQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 SPY and VNQ?
71.7% of VNQ's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 71.7% of VNQ's is in holdings SPY also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 139 in VNQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or VNQ?
SPY yields 0.98% while VNQ yields 3.49%, so VNQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VNQ better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.