SPYG vs VUG: which was the better investment?
SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF against Vanguard Growth ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jan 30, 2004 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did SPYG beat VUG?
No — measured from Jan 30, 2004 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VUG came out ahead: $133,440 versus $130,776 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 12.2% annual return against 12.1%.
What would $10,000 in SPYG be worth today?
$10,000 invested in SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) on Jan 30, 2004 would be worth about $130,776 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 1207.8% (12.1% per year). The same $10,000 in VUG would be worth $133,440.
Which was riskier — SPYG or VUG?
SPYG swung with an annualized volatility of 19.5% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -51.3%; VUG ran at 20.0% volatility with a -50.7% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.52 for SPYG vs 0.51 for VUG.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jan 30, 2004 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with SPYG vs VUG. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.