SPDW vs VNQ
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF vs Vanguard Real Estate ETF
Which is better, SPDW or VNQ?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
SPDW has a lower expense ratio. SPDW led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPDW is less concentrated, with 13.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.6%.
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 | SPDW | VNQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.13% |
| AUM | $40.8B | $35.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.01% | 3.80% |
| Holdings | 2,440 | 144 |
| YTD Return | +11.12%Best | +4.97% |
| 1Y Return | +18.59%Best | +4.65% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.81%Best | +10.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.02%Best | +0.61% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5%Best | 22.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -62.2%Best | -73.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,400Best | $10,309 |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.1%Best | 50.6% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 20, 2007 | Sep 23, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2007 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.5 years).
SPDW vs VNQ 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 covers the 19.5 years both funds cover.
SPDW vs VNQ Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPDW returned +18.59% while VNQ returned +4.65%. Year to date, SPDW is up 11.12% versus a gain of 4.97% for VNQ.
Over three years, SPDW compounded at +19.81% per year against +10.00% for VNQ; over five years the annualized figures are +9.02% and +0.61% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, SPDW has the edge at +2.88% annualized vs +1.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VNQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.1% compared with 17.5% for SPDW. 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 -62.2% for SPDW and -73.8% for VNQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPDW charges 0.03% per year while VNQ charges 0.13%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $13 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPDW currently yields 3.01% against 3.80% for VNQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2,390 holdings in SPDW and 140 in VNQ, totalling 97.8% and 99.5% 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 2,390 positions we hold weights for in SPDW and 140 in VNQ, against full books of 2,440 and 144.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 2,390 and 140 positions we hold weights for.
SPDW holds 46 positions VNQ does not, 6.5% of the fund.
Largest: SMSN 2.81%, SHEL 0.83%, SAN 0.60%, 005935 0.35%, SPOT 0.22%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPDW and VNQ 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, SPDW or VNQ?
SPDW has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VNQ charges 0.13%. SPDW is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPDW or VNQ?
Over the past year SPDW returned +18.59% vs +4.65% for VNQ, so SPDW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SPDW annualized +2.88% vs +1.69% for VNQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPDW or VNQ?
VNQ has been the more volatile fund at 22.1% annualized versus 17.5% for SPDW. Worst drawdown: SPDW -62.2% vs VNQ -73.8%.
Should I hold both SPDW and VNQ?
SPDW and VNQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, SPDW or VNQ?
SPDW yields 3.01% while VNQ yields 3.80%, so VNQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VNQ better than SPDW?
SPDW has a lower expense ratio. SPDW led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPDW is less concentrated, with 13.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.