VIMAX vs SPY: which was the better investment?
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares against SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Nov 12, 2001 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VIMAX beat SPY?
Yes — measured from Nov 12, 2001 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VIMAX came out ahead: $111,599 versus $104,635 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 10.3% annual return against 10.0%.
What would $10,000 in VIMAX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIMAX) on Nov 12, 2001 would be worth about $111,599 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 1016.0% (10.3% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $104,635.
Which was riskier — VIMAX or SPY?
VIMAX swung with an annualized volatility of 20.5% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -58.9%; SPY ran at 19.0% volatility with a -55.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.40 for VIMAX vs 0.42 for SPY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Nov 12, 2001 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 VIMAX 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.