VXF vs SPY: which was the better investment?
Vanguard Extended Market ETF against SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jan 4, 2002 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VXF beat SPY?
Yes — measured from Jan 4, 2002 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VXF came out ahead: $105,816 versus $100,025 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 10.1% annual return against 9.8%.
What would $10,000 in VXF be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) on Jan 4, 2002 would be worth about $105,816 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 958.2% (10.1% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $100,025.
Which was riskier — VXF or SPY?
VXF swung with an annualized volatility of 22.1% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -58.0%; SPY ran at 19.0% volatility with a -55.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.37 for VXF vs 0.41 for SPY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jan 4, 2002 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 VXF 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.