SPTM vs VYM
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SPTM or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SPTM has a lower expense ratio. SPTM led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.0%.
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 | SPTM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.04% |
| AUM | $13.7B | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.07% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 3,031 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +10.92% | +14.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.70% | +18.73%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.57%Best | +20.11% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.16% | +11.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,972 | $17,126Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.0% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 4, 2000 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 18, 2014 to Nov 10, 2026 (12.7 years).
SPTM 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 covers the 12.7 years both funds cover.
SPTM vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) 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 SPTM returned +11.70% while VYM returned +18.73%. Year to date, SPTM is up 10.92% versus a gain of 14.91% for VYM.
Over three years, SPTM compounded at +20.57% per year against +20.11% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.16% and +11.36% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SPTM has the edge at +11.97% annualized vs +9.41%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPTM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 13.6% for VYM. 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 -35.1% for SPTM 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPTM 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, SPTM currently yields 1.07% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
32.5% of SPTM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 95.6% of VYM's money is in holdings SPTM also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside SPTM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, SPTM as of Oct 16, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
551 positions in common, counted across the 1,507 positions we hold weights for in SPTM and 602 in VYM, against full books of 3,031 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 39 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SPTM (3.2% of the fund), and 587 for SPTM that do not appear in VYM (66.4%).
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 SPTM | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.29% | 6.94% | 4.65% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.24% | 3.83% | 2.59% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 1.01% | 2.70% | 1.69% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.86% | 2.58% | 1.72% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.70% | 1.83% | 1.13% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.62% | 1.76% | 1.14% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.61% | 1.54% | 0.93% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.51% | 1.47% | 0.96% |
| CATCaterpillar Inc | 0.48% | 1.46% | 0.98% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.50% | 1.42% | 0.92% |
95.6% of VYM is already inside SPTM.
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, SPTM or VYM?
SPTM has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VYM charges 0.04%. SPTM is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPTM or VYM?
Over the past year SPTM returned +11.70% vs +18.73% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), SPTM annualized +11.97% vs +9.41% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPTM or VYM?
SPTM has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 13.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SPTM -35.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SPTM and VYM?
SPTM and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 SPTM and VYM?
95.6% of VYM's money is in holdings SPTM also owns. 95.6% of VYM's is in holdings SPTM also owns. They hold 551 positions in common, counted across the 1,507 positions we hold weights for in SPTM and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPTM or VYM?
SPTM yields 1.07% while VYM yields 2.23%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SPTM?
SPTM has a lower expense ratio. SPTM led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.