DIVB vs SPY
iShares Core Dividend ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, DIVB or SPY?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
DIVB has a lower expense ratio. DIVB led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SPY over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. DIVB is less concentrated, with 31.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DIVB | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $2.0B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.02% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 385 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +29.73%Best | +11.97% |
| 1Y Return | +35.82%Best | +16.40% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.28%Best | +21.10% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.21%Best | +12.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 16.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.9% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,432Best | $18,327 |
| Top 10 Weight | 31.2%Best | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 7, 2017 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 9, 2017 to Sep 14, 2026 (8.8 years).
DIVB vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 8.8 years both funds cover.
DIVB vs SPY Performance
iShares Core Dividend ETF (DIVB) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year DIVB returned +35.82% while SPY returned +16.40%. Year to date, DIVB is up 29.73% versus a gain of 11.97% for SPY.
Over three years, DIVB compounded at +24.28% per year against +21.10% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +14.21% and +12.88% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.95% annualized vs +13.83%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DIVB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% compared with 16.3% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -36.9% for DIVB and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DIVB charges 0.05% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $9 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DIVB currently yields 2.02% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
87.2% of DIVB's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 25.1% of SPY's money is in holdings DIVB also owns.
Most of DIVB is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
208 positions in common, counted across the 381 positions we hold weights for in DIVB and 504 in SPY, against full books of 385 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 290 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for DIVB (74.3% of the fund), and 165 for DIVB that do not appear in SPY (12.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DIVB | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 5.61% | 0.17% | 5.44% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.69% | 1.45% | 1.24% |
| IBMInternational Business Machines Corp. | 3.75% | 0.33% | 3.42% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.31% | 1.04% | 1.27% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.14% | 0.99% | 1.15% |
| PAYXPaychex, Inc. | 2.72% | 0.06% | 2.66% |
| HPQHp Inc. | 2.69% | 0.04% | 2.65% |
| CTSHCognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A | 2.66% | 0.05% | 2.61% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.76% | 0.70% | 1.06% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.66% | 0.60% | 1.06% |
87.2% of DIVB is already inside SPY.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DIVB or SPY?
DIVB has an expense ratio of 0.05% while SPY charges 0.09%. DIVB is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DIVB or SPY?
Over the past year DIVB returned +35.82% vs +16.40% for SPY, so DIVB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), DIVB annualized +13.83% vs +13.95% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DIVB or SPY?
DIVB has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 16.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: DIVB -36.9% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both DIVB and SPY?
DIVB and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DIVB and SPY?
87.2% of DIVB's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 25.1% of SPY's is in holdings DIVB also owns. They hold 208 positions in common, counted across the 381 positions we hold weights for in DIVB and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, DIVB or SPY?
DIVB yields 2.02% while SPY yields 0.98%, so DIVB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than DIVB?
DIVB has a lower expense ratio. DIVB led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SPY over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. DIVB is less concentrated, with 31.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.