SPY vs VOOG
SPY vs VOOG
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF
Quick Verdict
VOOG has a lower expense ratio. VOOG delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | VOOG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.07% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $26.3B | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.54% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 151 | |
| YTD Return | +13.79% | +15.50% | |
| 1Y Return | +23.66% | +25.35% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.40% | +26.93% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.37% | +14.15% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 15.5% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -32.7% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Sep 7, 2010 |
SPY vs VOOG Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPY returned +23.66% while VOOG returned +25.35%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.79% versus a gain of 15.50% for VOOG.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.40% per year against +26.93% for VOOG; over five years the annualized figures are +13.37% and +14.15% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOOG has the edge at +15.93% annualized vs +8.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOOG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 15.3% for SPY. 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 -32.7% for VOOG. 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 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while VOOG charges 0.07%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $7 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.54% for VOOG.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and VOOG share 144 holdings out of 505 unique holdings combined, representing a 61.9% weight overlap.
High overlap means holding both may not provide much additional diversification.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPY | Weight in VOOG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 7.31% | 13.64% | 6.33% |
| AAPL | 7.09% | 5.98% | 1.11% |
| MSFT | 4.43% | 7.80% | 3.37% |
| GOOG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AMZN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MU | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| LLY | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AMD | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings SPY shares with VOOG Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. Get FundXLS Pro: $29/moFirst 500 subscribers, then $49/mo. Cancel anytime. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or VOOG?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VOOG charges 0.07%. VOOG is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $2 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or VOOG?
Over the past year SPY returned +23.66% vs +25.35% for VOOG, so VOOG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SPY annualized +8.85% vs +15.93% for VOOG. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or VOOG?
VOOG has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs VOOG -32.7%.
Should I hold both SPY and VOOG?
SPY and VOOG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and VOOG?
SPY and VOOG share 144 common holdings with a 61.9% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 505 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or VOOG?
SPY yields 1.01% while VOOG yields 0.54%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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