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SPY vs VT: Performance & Backtest Comparison
SPY delivered the higher return - 12.34% CAGR vs 8.90% - over 2008-07-31 → 2026-06-30.
Growth comparison
Drawdown
Annual returns
| SPY | VT | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | Vanguard Total World Stock Index ETF |
| CAGR | 12.34% | 8.90% |
| Total return | 711.77% | 363.81% |
| Volatility | 15.64% | 16.68% |
| Max drawdown | -41.80%Feb 2009 | -45.96%Feb 2009 |
| Sharpe | 0.74 | 0.52 |
| Sortino | 1.00 | 0.68 |
| Best year | 32.31% | 32.66% |
| Worst year | -28.51% | -33.00% |
| Final balance | $81,177 | $46,381 |
Correlation of monthly returns: 0.96. Wondering if you need both? Check their fund overlap →
All figures are total returns: every dividend and distribution is reinvested on its ex-date, and prices are split-adjusted. See the methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Which has performed better, SPY or VT?
Over 2008-07-31 to 2026-06-30, SPY performed better: 12.34% annualized versus 8.90% for VT, with dividends reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How similar are SPY and VT?
Their monthly returns have a correlation of 0.96 over the common period. SPY is State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust; VT is Vanguard Total World Stock Index ETF.
Which is riskier, SPY or VT?
Over the common period SPY had 15.64% annualized volatility and a -41.80% max drawdown, versus 16.68% and -45.96% for VT.