SPY ETF — SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY)

SPY is a low-cost ETF that tracks the S&P 500 Index. As of August 19, 2026, its distribution rate is 0.99%, its trailing-12-month yield is 0.98%, its expense ratio is 0.09%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 100/100 (Safe). Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 8.9%.

At the current 0.99% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $99 per year, or $8.25 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual quarterly payments vary.

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust tracks the S&P 500 Index, holding the 500 largest U.S. companies by market capitalization to replicate the index's performance before expenses. The fund offers a modest current distribution rate paid quarterly, with a low expense ratio of 0.09%. It appeals to broad-based equity investors seeking diversified large-cap U.S. stock exposure with minimal costs.

SPY performance

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 8.9%.

SPY key facts

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

100 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.99%

Issuer

State Street

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

01/22/1993

Expense ratio

0.09%

Distribution rate

0.99%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

0.98%

Last close

$767.45

AUM

$823,998,325,706

Market cap

$656,370,171,904

Average volume

43244035.0

Last dividend

$1.9035

Ex-dividend date

06/18/2026

Beta

1.0

P/E ratio

25.8531

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (0.99%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (0.98%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Primary sources: State Street fund page; Index: S&P 500 Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

SPY risks and drawbacks

SPY's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 8.9%.

Who may consider SPY — and who may not

SPY may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (SPY pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Compare SPY

SPY vs similar funds:

• SPY vs VOO
• SPY vs IVV
• SPY vs FXAIX
• SPY vs VTI
• SPY vs QQQ
• SPY vs SPYM

Frequently asked questions

More funds from State Street.