SPSB vs VYM
State Street SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SPSB or VYM?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Value.
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 | SPSB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Tie | 0.04%Tie |
| AUM | $10.5B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.36% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,627 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +0.85% | +10.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.14% | +14.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.08% | +17.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.69% | +11.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.8%Best | 13.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.8%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,419 | $17,311Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 16, 2009 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 17, 2009 to Sep 23, 2026 (16.8 years).
SPSB 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.
SPSB vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPSB) 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 SPSB returned +2.14% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, SPSB is up 0.85% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, SPSB compounded at +5.08% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +2.69% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.91% annualized vs +1.00%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.2% compared with 1.8% for SPSB. 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 -11.8% for SPSB 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 0.47. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPSB charges 0.04% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $4 annually. On income, SPSB currently yields 4.36% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in SPSB and 557 in VYM, totalling 0.3% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in SPSB and 557 in VYM, against full books of 1,627 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPSB 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, SPSB or VYM?
SPSB has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VYM charges 0.04%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, SPSB or VYM?
Over the past year SPSB returned +2.14% vs +14.28% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), SPSB annualized +1.00% vs +9.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPSB or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.2% annualized versus 1.8% for SPSB. Worst drawdown: SPSB -11.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SPSB and VYM?
SPSB and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.47, 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, SPSB or VYM?
SPSB yields 4.36% while VYM yields 2.22%, so SPSB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SPSB?
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.