HDV vs SPY
iShares Core High Dividend ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, HDV or SPY?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
HDV has a lower expense ratio. HDV led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.1%.
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 | HDV | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $15.6B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.07% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 81 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +20.47%Best | +10.96% |
| 1Y Return | +22.73%Best | +15.52% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.86% | +20.73%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.49% | +12.53%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.1%Best | 14.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -37.0% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,012 | $18,044Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.1% | 37.8%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 29, 2011 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 31, 2011 to Sep 16, 2026 (15.5 years).
HDV 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 15.5 years both funds cover.
HDV vs SPY Performance
iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) 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 HDV returned +22.73% while SPY returned +15.52%. Year to date, HDV is up 20.47% versus a gain of 10.96% for SPY.
Over three years, HDV compounded at +15.86% per year against +20.73% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +12.49% and +12.53% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.43% annualized vs +8.40%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% compared with 13.1% for HDV. 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 -37.0% for HDV 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HDV charges 0.08% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $9 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HDV currently yields 3.07% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
97.5% of HDV's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 10.1% of SPY's money is in holdings HDV also owns.
Most of HDV is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
55 positions in common, counted across the 76 positions we hold weights for in HDV and 504 in SPY, against full books of 81 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 76 and 504 positions we hold weights for.
SPY holds 442 positions HDV does not, 89.2% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.01%, AAPL 7.26%, MSFT 5.66%, AMZN 3.79%, GOOGL 2.99%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HDV | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 7.94% | 1.04% | 6.90% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 6.25% | 0.60% | 5.65% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 6.13% | 0.70% | 5.43% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 5.73% | 0.32% | 5.41% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 4.72% | 0.25% | 4.47% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 4.40% | 0.56% | 3.84% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 4.42% | 0.52% | 3.90% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 4.28% | 0.48% | 3.80% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 4.24% | 0.44% | 3.80% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 4.03% | 0.52% | 3.51% |
97.5% of HDV 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, HDV or SPY?
HDV has an expense ratio of 0.08% while SPY charges 0.09%. HDV is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HDV or SPY?
Over the past year HDV returned +22.73% vs +15.52% for SPY, so HDV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), HDV annualized +8.40% vs +12.43% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HDV or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 13.1% for HDV. Worst drawdown: HDV -37.0% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both HDV and SPY?
HDV and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 HDV and SPY?
97.5% of HDV's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 10.1% of SPY's is in holdings HDV also owns. They hold 55 positions in common, counted across the 76 positions we hold weights for in HDV and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, HDV or SPY?
HDV yields 3.07% while SPY yields 0.98%, so HDV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than HDV?
HDV has a lower expense ratio. HDV led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.