SPYG vs VXUS
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SPYG or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
SPYG has a lower expense ratio. SPYG led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | SPYG | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $53.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.48% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 149 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +14.08%Best | +12.82% |
| 1Y Return | +17.42% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.35%Best | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.99%Best | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.7%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,246Best | $15,714 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2000 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
SPYG vs VXUS 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
SPYG vs VXUS Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPYG returned +17.42% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, SPYG is up 14.08% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, SPYG compounded at +26.35% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.99% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SPYG has the edge at +14.96% annualized vs +4.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPYG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -32.7% for SPYG and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPYG charges 0.04% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $5 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPYG currently yields 0.48% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 149 holdings in SPYG and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 99.9% and 88.8% 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 149 positions we hold weights for in SPYG and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 149 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPYG and VXUS 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, SPYG or VXUS?
SPYG has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VXUS charges 0.05%. SPYG is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPYG or VXUS?
Over the past year SPYG returned +17.42% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SPYG annualized +14.96% vs +4.72% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPYG or VXUS?
SPYG has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SPYG -32.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SPYG and VXUS?
SPYG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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, SPYG or VXUS?
SPYG yields 0.48% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SPYG?
SPYG has a lower expense ratio. SPYG led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.