SPY vs WDIV
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs State Street SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF
Which is better, SPY or WDIV?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, WDIV over 1Y. WDIV is less concentrated, with 17.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | SPY | WDIV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.40% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $289M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 4.01% |
| Holdings | 505 | 121 |
| YTD Return | +12.09% | +13.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.29% | +19.55%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.20%Best | +18.31% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.37%Best | +9.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1%Best | -44.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,728Best | $15,974 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8% | 17.5%Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | May 29, 2013 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 30, 2013 to Sep 18, 2026 (13.3 years).
SPY vs WDIV 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 13.3 years both funds cover.
SPY vs WDIV Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and State Street SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF (WDIV) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year SPY returned +16.29% while WDIV returned +19.55%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.09% versus a gain of 13.25% for WDIV.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.20% per year against +18.31% for WDIV; over five years the annualized figures are +13.37% and +9.82% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.77% annualized vs +4.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WDIV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 14.4% for SPY. 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 -34.1% for SPY and -44.5% for WDIV. 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
SPY charges 0.09% per year while WDIV 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 0.98% against 4.01% for WDIV.
Holdings Overlap
0.9% of SPY's money is in holdings WDIV also owns. 7.9% of WDIV's money is in holdings SPY also owns.
WDIV and SPY share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 95 in WDIV, against full books of 505 and 121.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 16 positions for WDIV that do not appear in our book for SPY (17.5% of the fund), and 490 for SPY that do not appear in WDIV (98.4%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and WDIV 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, SPY or WDIV?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while WDIV charges 0.40%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or WDIV?
Over the past year SPY returned +16.29% vs +19.55% for WDIV, so WDIV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), SPY annualized +12.77% vs +4.44% for WDIV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or WDIV?
WDIV has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 14.4% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -34.1% vs WDIV -44.5%.
Should I hold both SPY and WDIV?
SPY and WDIV 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 SPY and WDIV?
7.9% of WDIV's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 7.9% of WDIV's is in holdings SPY also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 95 in WDIV.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or WDIV?
SPY yields 0.98% while WDIV yields 4.01%, so WDIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WDIV better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, WDIV over 1Y. WDIV is less concentrated, with 17.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.