VIGAX vs SPY: which was the better investment?
Vanguard Growth 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 VIGAX beat SPY?
Yes — measured from Nov 13, 2000 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VIGAX came out ahead: $102,634 versus $87,545 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 9.5% annual return against 8.8%.
What would $10,000 in VIGAX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) on Nov 13, 2000 would be worth about $102,634 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 926.3% (9.5% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $87,545.
Which was riskier — VIGAX or SPY?
VIGAX swung with an annualized volatility of 20.6% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -50.7%; SPY ran at 19.1% volatility with a -55.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.36 for VIGAX 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 VIGAX 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.