SPY vs VV
SPY vs VV
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Vanguard Large-Cap ETF
Quick Verdict
VV has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | VV | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.03% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $52.5B | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 1.25% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 446 | |
| YTD Return | +9.93% | +9.65% | |
| 1Y Return | +19.50% | +18.97% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.33% | +19.55% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.82% | +12.43% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 14.8% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -56.0% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jan 27, 2004 |
SPY vs VV Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Large-Cap ETF (VV) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPY returned +19.50% while VV returned +18.97%. Year to date, SPY is up 9.93% versus a gain of 9.65% for VV.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +19.33% per year against +19.55% for VV; over five years the annualized figures are +12.82% and +12.43% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VV has the edge at +9.36% annualized vs +8.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.8% for VV. 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 -56.0% for VV. 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 1.00. 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 VV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $3 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 1.25% for VV.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and VV share 387 holdings out of 547 unique holdings combined, representing a 94.4% weight overlap.
High overlap means holding both may not provide much additional diversification.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPY | Weight in VV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 7.31% | 7.27% | 0.04% |
| AAPL | 7.09% | 6.72% | 0.37% |
| MSFT | 4.43% | 4.38% | 0.05% |
| AMZN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOGL | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MU | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| TSLA | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings SPY shares with VV 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 VV?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VV charges 0.03%. VV is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $6 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or VV?
Over the past year SPY returned +19.50% vs +18.97% for VV, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), SPY annualized +8.74% vs +9.36% for VV. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or VV?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.8% for VV. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs VV -56.0%.
Should I hold both SPY and VV?
SPY and VV have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, 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 VV?
SPY and VV share 387 common holdings with a 94.4% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 547 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or VV?
SPY yields 1.01% while VV yields 1.25%, so VV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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