VFIAX vs SPY: which was the better investment?
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares against SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Nov 13, 2000 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VFIAX beat SPY?
It was effectively a tie over the full overlap period (Nov 13, 2000 to Jul 13, 2026): $10,000 grew to $88,028 in VFIAX and $87,545 in SPY, a difference of under 2%.
What would $10,000 in VFIAX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) on Nov 13, 2000 would be worth about $88,028 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 780.3% (8.8% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $87,545.
Which was riskier — VFIAX or SPY?
VFIAX swung with an annualized volatility of 19.2% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -55.2%; SPY ran at 19.1% volatility with a -55.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.36 for VFIAX vs 0.36 for SPY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Nov 13, 2000 through Jul 13, 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 VFIAX vs SPY. 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.