VOO vs SPYV: Head-to-Head Comparison

Side-by-Side Comparison

Key Differences Between VOO and SPYV

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) is a u.s. large-cap blend fund managed by Vanguard. VOO tracks the S&P 500 index, giving you ownership in 500 of the largest U.S. companies in a single investment. It is one of the most popular ETFs in the world thanks to its ultra-low expense ratio and broad market exposure. For beginners, VOO is often recommended as a core portfolio holding because it provides instant diversification across America's leading businesses.

SPYV (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF) is a us large-cap value fund managed by State Street. SPYV tracks the S&P 500 Value Index, which selects value-oriented stocks from the S&P 500 based on book value, earnings, and sales ratios relative to price. At just 0.04% in fees, it is one of the cheapest ways to get pure large-cap value exposure. The fund favors financially stable, established companies that trade at reasonable valuations relative to their fundamentals.

The most notable differences are in fees (0.03% vs 0.04%), number of holdings (503 vs 440), and 5-year returns (15.80% vs 9.50%).

Holdings Overlap Analysis

VOO and SPYV share only 5% of their top holdings. These funds are quite different, making them complementary choices if you want broader market coverage.

Cost Comparison Over Time

If you invest $10,000 and hold for 20 years (assuming 8% annual returns):

Over 20 years, the fee difference amounts to $86 on a $10,000 investment. The cost difference is negligible — choose based on other factors.

Which One Should a Beginner Choose?

Choose VOO if: You want beginning investors looking for a simple core portfolio holding, long-term buy-and-hold investors seeking broad u.s. market exposure, cost-conscious investors who want minimal fees. It's managed by Vanguard with an expense ratio of 0.03%.

Choose SPYV if: You want fee-sensitive investors wanting the cheapest s&p 500 value exposure available, tactical investors pairing spyv with spyg for customizable growth/value allocations, income-oriented investors who also want capital appreciation from undervalued stocks. It's managed by State Street with an expense ratio of 0.04%.

Can You Own Both VOO and SPYV?

Absolutely! With only 5% overlap, VOO and SPYV complement each other well. A simple portfolio might allocate 60% to one and 40% to the other, or you could pair them with a bond ETF like BND for a complete three-fund portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions