SPY vs VDIG
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Vanguard Wellington Dividend Growth Active ETF
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY offers more diversification with 505 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | VDIG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.40% | |
| AUM | $821.1B | $28M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.12% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 41 | |
| YTD Return | +13.21% | +4.82% | |
| 1Y Return | +19.87% | - | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.16% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.74% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | - | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -11.2% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Nov 14, 2025 |
SPY vs VDIG Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Wellington Dividend Growth Active ETF (VDIG) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, SPY is up 13.21% versus a gain of 4.82% for VDIG.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -56.5% for SPY and -11.2% for VDIG. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while VDIG charges 0.40%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $40 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.12% for VDIG.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and VDIG share 36 holdings out of 508 unique holdings combined, representing a 24.5% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or VDIG?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VDIG charges 0.40%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $31 per year of difference.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and VDIG?
SPY and VDIG share 36 common holdings with a 24.5% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 508 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or VDIG?
SPY yields 1.01% while VDIG yields 0.12%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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