VMBS vs VOO
Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, VMBS or VOO?
VOO has been ahead.
VOO 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 | VMBS | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $17.2B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.22% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 5,254 | 509 |
| YTD Return | -0.88% | +12.50%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.20% | +17.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.60% | +21.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.09% | +12.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.2%Best | 14.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.4%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,045 | $18,384Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 19, 2009 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 11, 2026 (16 years).
VMBS vs VOO 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VMBS vs VOO Performance
Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (VMBS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VMBS returned +0.20% while VOO returned +17.58%. Year to date, VMBS is down 0.88% versus a gain of 12.50% for VOO.
Over three years, VMBS compounded at +4.60% per year against +21.27% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +0.09% and +12.95% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.41% annualized vs +0.33%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 4.2% for VMBS. 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 -18.4% for VMBS and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.30. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VMBS charges 0.03% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, VMBS currently yields 4.22% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 5 holdings in VMBS and 505 in VOO, totalling 0.2% and 99.9% 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 5 positions we hold weights for in VMBS and 505 in VOO, against full books of 5,254 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VMBS and VOO 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, VMBS or VOO?
VMBS has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VOO charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VMBS or VOO?
Over the past year VMBS returned +0.20% vs +17.58% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VMBS annualized +0.33% vs +13.41% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VMBS or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 4.2% for VMBS. Worst drawdown: VMBS -18.4% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both VMBS and VOO?
VMBS and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.30, 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, VMBS or VOO?
VMBS yields 4.22% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VMBS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than VMBS?
VOO 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.