SPYM vs VYM
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SPYM or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. SPYM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%.
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 | SPYM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.02%Best | 0.04% |
| AUM | $168.9B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 508 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.49% | +12.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.97% | +17.25%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.02%Best | +17.66% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.68%Best | +11.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8% | 13.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.3%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,165Best | $17,608 |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.0% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 8, 2005 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 18, 2014 to Sep 15, 2026 (12.6 years).
SPYM 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 12.6 years both funds cover.
SPYM vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) 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 SPYM returned +15.97% while VYM returned +17.25%. Year to date, SPYM is up 11.49% versus a gain of 12.87% for VYM.
Over three years, SPYM compounded at +21.02% per year against +17.66% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.68% and +11.98% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SPYM has the edge at +12.54% annualized vs +9.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 13.5% 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 -34.3% for SPYM 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
SPYM charges 0.02% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $2 vs $4 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPYM currently yields 1.01% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
33.9% of SPYM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 89.2% of VYM's money is in holdings SPYM also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside SPYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
250 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in SPYM and 557 in VYM, against full books of 508 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 280 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SPYM (8.5% of the fund), and 249 for SPYM that do not appear in VYM (65.9%).
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 SPYM | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.97% | 7.35% | 4.38% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.44% | 3.82% | 2.38% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.96% | 2.63% | 1.67% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.92% | 2.51% | 1.59% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.72% | 1.86% | 1.14% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.65% | 1.80% | 1.15% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.61% | 1.50% | 0.89% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 0.56% | 1.52% | 0.96% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.54% | 1.48% | 0.94% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.52% | 1.37% | 0.85% |
89.2% of VYM is already inside SPYM.
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, SPYM or VYM?
SPYM has an expense ratio of 0.02% while VYM charges 0.04%. SPYM is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPYM or VYM?
Over the past year SPYM returned +15.97% vs +17.25% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), SPYM annualized +12.54% vs +9.37% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPYM or VYM?
SPYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 13.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SPYM -34.3% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SPYM and VYM?
SPYM 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 SPYM and VYM?
89.2% of VYM's money is in holdings SPYM also owns. 89.2% of VYM's is in holdings SPYM also owns. They hold 250 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in SPYM and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPYM or VYM?
SPYM yields 1.01% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SPYM?
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. SPYM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.