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VOO vs. SPYM: Same Returns, Different Sizes
18 Nov
Summary
- Both ETFs track the S&P 500 with nearly identical 10-year returns.
- SPYM offers a lower share price, aiding investors with tight budgets.
- VOO is significantly larger in assets under management than SPYM.
Two prominent S&P 500 Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and the State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM), offer investors remarkably similar performance and investment strategies. Both funds precisely track the S&P 500 index, ensuring diversified exposure to large-cap U.S. companies. As of November 18, 2025, their 10-year total returns are nearly identical, with VOO up 286.0% and SPYM up 286.3%, both averaging 14.5% annually.
Despite their performance parity, a key distinction lies in their market presence and share price. VOO is a colossal fund with $1.5 trillion in assets under management, while SPYM is considerably smaller. However, SPYM offers a lower share price at $77.84 compared to VOO's $608.13. This difference is primarily due to share structure, making SPYM a more manageable option for investors with smaller budgets seeking to acquire shares.
Both ETFs present highly competitive expense ratios, with SPYM at 0.02% and VOO at 0.03%, and identical dividend yields of 1.2%. While VOO is a flagship product from Vanguard, SPYM serves as a cost-effective core portfolio building block. Ultimately, for most investors, the choice between these two ETFs comes down to granular portfolio management preferences rather than significant performance differences.
