SPY vs VCRB
SPY vs VCRB
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Vanguard Core Bond ETF
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. VCRB offers more diversification with 1223 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | VCRB | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.10% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $7.3B | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 4.57% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 3,173 | |
| YTD Return | +13.50% | -0.13% | |
| 1Y Return | +23.56% | +2.23% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.17% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.46% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 4.2% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -4.1% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) | |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Dec 12, 2023 |
SPY vs VCRB Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPY returned +23.56% while VCRB returned +2.23%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.50% versus a loss of 0.13% for VCRB.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 4.2% for VCRB. 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 -4.1% for VCRB. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.34. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while VCRB 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 1.01% against 4.57% for VCRB.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and VCRB share 1 holdings out of 1725 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.0% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPY | Weight in VCRB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AON | 0.12% | 0.02% | 0.10% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or VCRB?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VCRB charges 0.10%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $1 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or VCRB?
Over the past year SPY returned +23.56% vs +2.23% for VCRB, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (3 years), SPY annualized +8.85% vs +4.05% for VCRB. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or VCRB?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 4.2% for VCRB. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs VCRB -4.1%.
Should I hold both SPY and VCRB?
SPY and VCRB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.34, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and VCRB?
SPY and VCRB share 1 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 1725 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or VCRB?
SPY yields 1.01% while VCRB yields 4.57%, so VCRB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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