SPY vs VUSB
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Vanguard Ultra Short Bond ETF
Which is better, SPY or VUSB?
Large Cap Blend against Ultrashort Term Bond.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY 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 | SPY | VUSB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.10% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $10.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 4.31% |
| Holdings | 505 | 1,346 |
| YTD Return | +12.47%Best | -0.60% |
| 1Y Return | +17.51%Best | +0.83% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.18%Best | +4.21% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.88%Best | +3.00% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 1.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.5% | -1.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,327Best | $11,593 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Ultrashort Term Bond |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Apr 5, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 7, 2021 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.4 years).
SPY vs VUSB 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 5.4 years both funds cover.
SPY vs VUSB Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Ultra Short Bond ETF (VUSB) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPY returned +17.51% while VUSB returned +0.83%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.47% versus a loss of 0.60% for VUSB.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.18% per year against +4.21% for VUSB; over five years the annualized figures are +12.88% and +3.00% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 1.2% for VUSB. 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 -24.5% for SPY and -1.8% for VUSB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.37. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while VUSB charges 0.10%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $10 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 4.31% for VUSB.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 94 in VUSB, totalling 100.0% and 8.5% 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 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 94 in VUSB, against full books of 505 and 1,346.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and VUSB 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 VUSB?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VUSB charges 0.10%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or VUSB?
Over the past year SPY returned +17.51% vs +0.83% for VUSB, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or VUSB?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 1.2% for VUSB. Worst drawdown: SPY -24.5% vs VUSB -1.8%.
Should I hold both SPY and VUSB?
SPY and VUSB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.37, 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 VUSB?
SPY yields 0.98% while VUSB yields 4.31%, so VUSB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VUSB better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY 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.