VTIAX vs SPY: which was the better investment?
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares against SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Nov 29, 2010 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VTIAX beat SPY?
No — measured from Nov 29, 2010 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, SPY came out ahead: $83,056 versus $28,380 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 14.5% annual return against 6.9%.
What would $10,000 in VTIAX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) on Nov 29, 2010 would be worth about $28,380 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 183.8% (6.9% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $83,056.
Which was riskier — VTIAX or SPY?
VTIAX swung with an annualized volatility of 16.3% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -35.8%; SPY ran at 17.0% volatility with a -33.7% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.30 for VTIAX vs 0.73 for SPY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Nov 29, 2010 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 VTIAX 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.