SPBO vs VYM
State Street SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SPBO or VYM?
Long Term Mid Quality against Large Cap Value.
SPBO has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | SPBO | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.04% |
| AUM | $2.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.19% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 4,083 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -2.22% | +9.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.42% | +13.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.10% | +17.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.49% | +11.45%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.1%Best | 13.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.4%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,757 | $17,195Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 6, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 7, 2011 to Sep 24, 2026 (15.5 years).
SPBO vs VYM 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
SPBO vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF (SPBO) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPBO returned -1.42% while VYM returned +13.77%. Year to date, SPBO is down 2.22% versus a gain of 9.71% for VYM.
Over three years, SPBO compounded at +5.10% per year against +17.30% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -0.49% and +11.45% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.57% annualized vs +0.98%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.0% compared with 6.1% for SPBO. 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 -22.4% for SPBO and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.43. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPBO charges 0.03% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPBO currently yields 5.19% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in SPBO and 557 in VYM, totalling 1.0% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in SPBO and 557 in VYM, against full books of 4,083 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPBO and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPBO or VYM?
SPBO has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VYM charges 0.04%. SPBO is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPBO or VYM?
Over the past year SPBO returned -1.42% vs +13.77% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SPBO annualized +0.98% vs +9.57% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPBO or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.0% annualized versus 6.1% for SPBO. Worst drawdown: SPBO -22.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SPBO and VYM?
SPBO and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.43, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPBO or VYM?
SPBO yields 5.19% while VYM yields 2.22%, so SPBO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SPBO?
SPBO has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.