CSSPX vs VUAA: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
iShares Core S&P 500 UCITS ETF (Acc) against Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (Acc), over the same 7 years (June 2019 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From June 2019 to October 2026, CSSPX returned 16.2% a year and VUAA 14.6% a year on average, so CSSPX came out ahead by 1.6% a year. VUAA was the more volatile of the two (15.5% against 14.8% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 17.7% for CSSPX and 25.3% for VUAA.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.94: they moved almost in lockstep. Over 54 rolling 3-year periods, CSSPX did better in 63% and VUAA in 37%.
Both funds follow the same index, so differences come mostly from ongoing charges, tracking and how dividends are handled.
Side by side
| CSSPX | VUAA | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +16.2% | +14.6% |
| Total return | +204% | +174% |
| Annual volatility | 14.8% | 15.5% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −17.7% | −25.3% |
| Worst month | −9.4% | −9.3% |
| Best month | +11.3% | +11.4% |
| Positive months | 61% | 61% |
| Best year | 2021: +40.9% | 2021: +41.0% |
| Worst year | 2022: −14.6% | 2022: −14.6% |
| 1-year return | +22.6% | +22.6% |
| 5 years, a year | +13.5% | +13.5% |
| 10 years, a year | +14.9% | — |
| Trading currency | EUR | EUR |
First nine rows: the same 89 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: CSSPX vs VUAA
Returns by calendar year
| Year | CSSPX | VUAA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +4.3% | +4.3% |
| 2024 | +33.8% | +33.7% |
| 2023 | +22.0% | +22.1% |
| 2022 | −14.6% | −14.6% |
| 2021 | +40.9% | +41.0% |
| 2020 | +7.6% | −4.1% |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, CSSPX or VUAA?
From June 2019 to October 2026, CSSPX returned +16.2% a year and VUAA +14.6% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods CSSPX did better in 63% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, CSSPX or VUAA?
Over the same months annual volatility was 14.8% for CSSPX and 15.5% for VUAA; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 17.7% and 25.3%, and the worst single month −9.4% and −9.3%.
How correlated are CSSPX and VUAA?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.94: they moved almost in lockstep. Holding both adds little diversification compared with holding one.
More comparisons
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.