DIVS vs VOO
Guinness Atkinson Dividend Builder ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, DIVS or VOO?
VOO has been ahead.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DIVS is less concentrated, with 33.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%.
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 | DIVS | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $40M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.58% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 37 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +9.40% | +12.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.72% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.41% | +21.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.75% | +13.49%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.7%Best | -24.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,923 | $18,827Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.7%Best | 37.6% |
| Fund Family | SmartETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 30, 2012 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 29, 2021 to Sep 18, 2026 (5.5 years).
DIVS vs VOO 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 5.5 years both funds cover.
DIVS vs VOO Performance
Guinness Atkinson Dividend Builder ETF (DIVS) is an ETF from SmartETFs and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DIVS returned +10.72% while VOO returned +16.61%. Year to date, DIVS is up 9.40% versus a gain of 12.37% for VOO.
Over three years, DIVS compounded at +13.41% per year against +21.37% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +9.75% and +13.49% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +14.30% annualized vs +10.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 12.9% for DIVS. 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 -20.7% for DIVS and -24.5% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DIVS charges 0.45% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $3 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DIVS currently yields 2.58% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
58.1% of DIVS's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 21.3% of VOO's money is in holdings DIVS also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
20 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in DIVS and 494 in VOO, against full books of 37 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 467 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for DIVS (77.9% of the fund), and 0 for DIVS that do not appear in VOO (0.0%).
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 DIVS | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.75% | 7.55% | 4.80% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.45% | 5.36% | 1.91% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.11% | 2.86% | 0.25% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 3.78% | 0.71% | 3.07% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 3.10% | 0.96% | 2.14% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 3.26% | 0.69% | 2.57% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 3.32% | 0.39% | 2.93% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 3.14% | 0.53% | 2.61% |
| PAYXPaychex, Inc. | 3.60% | 0.06% | 3.54% |
| AJGArthur J Gallagher & Co. | 3.22% | 0.10% | 3.12% |
58.1% of DIVS is already inside VOO.
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, DIVS or VOO?
DIVS has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DIVS or VOO?
Over the past year DIVS returned +10.72% vs +16.61% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), DIVS annualized +10.27% vs +14.30% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DIVS or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 12.9% for DIVS. Worst drawdown: DIVS -20.7% vs VOO -24.5%.
Should I hold both DIVS and VOO?
DIVS and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DIVS and VOO?
58.1% of DIVS's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 21.3% of VOO's is in holdings DIVS also owns. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in DIVS and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, DIVS or VOO?
DIVS yields 2.58% while VOO yields 1.04%, so DIVS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than DIVS?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DIVS is less concentrated, with 33.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.