Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings.
FXAIX has outpaced SPYM over the trailing twelve months, posting a 17.26% total return against 17.19%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: FXAIX has compounded at 15.52% a year, against 15.49% for SPYM. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 18, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since May 2011” measures every fund from May 10, 2011 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Side-by-side snapshot
Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric;
each column is one fund.
Bottom lineChoose FXAIX if you want broad equity exposure. Choose SPYM if you want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund.
Same benchmark, different trading mechanics
Both funds provide S&P 500 exposure. Fund expenses are only part of the decision: check your broker's access, transaction fees, and investment options. A fee difference alone does not predict either fund's realized return.
FXAIX
SPYM
Fund structure
Fidelity index mutual fund
State Street exchange-traded fund
Benchmark
S&P 500
S&P 500
Trading
Next calculated NAV
Intraday market price; bid-ask spread applies
Expense ratio
0.015%
0.02%
Account check
Availability and mutual fund transaction fees
Commissions, spreads, and fractional-share availability
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for its flagship SPDR suite of exchange-traded products that serve both institutional and retail investors across a broad range of asset classes. Their 88-fund lineup spans diverse strategies including sector exposure (Select Sector SPDR), income generation (Income and Select Sector SPDR Premium Income families), commodities (including the widely-held GLD gold ETF), bonds, ESG-focused investments, and thematic allocations, with popular tickers like DIA (Diamonds Trust), FEZ (Eurozone exposure), and JNK (high-yield bonds) among their most recognized funds. The issuer is characterized by its comprehensive coverage across multiple market segments and its emphasis on both traditional index-based products and specialized strategies like covered call income funds and factor-based investing.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SPYM.
FXAIX (Fidelity 500 Index Fund) is a mutual fund, while SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) is an ETF — their trading structures differ.
SPYM offers the higher yield at 1.07% vs 1.03% for FXAIX. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
FXAIX is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.015% compared to 0.02%.
FXAIX is the larger fund by assets ($859B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.
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On a $10,000 investment, FXAIX would generate roughly $8.58/month, while SPYM would produce $8.92/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
FXAIX yield1.03%
SPYM yield1.07%
Monthly diff on $10K$0.33
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, FXAIX would cost approximately $15 in fees vs $20 for SPYM (simplified, not compounded). The $5.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
FXAIX ER0.015%
SPYM ER0.02%
Strategy & risk
SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. FXAIX is a mutual fund whose tracked index or strategy detail is not recorded in our data, so this comparison rests on the measured figures — yield, fees, size, and performance — rather than strategy labels.
FXAIX beta1.0
SPYM beta1.0
Fund details
FXAIX is managed by Fidelity Investments (launched 02/17/1988) with $859B in assets. SPYM is managed by State Street (launched 11/08/2005) with $157B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between SPYM and FXAIX?
Both seek to track the S&P 500. SPYM is an ETF traded on an exchange at market prices; FXAIX is a mutual fund bought or redeemed at the next calculated net asset value. Compare current fund expenses, bid-ask spreads, and your broker's transaction fees and recurring-investment options. Neither guarantees a return.
Is SPLG the same as SPYM?
Yes — same fund, new ticker. State Street renamed the State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF from SPLG to SPYM; the strategy and holdings carried over unchanged, and existing shareholders kept their position under the new symbol. So results for "SPLG" are answered by SPYM's numbers: 1.07% distribution yield at a 0.02% expense ratio, with $157B in assets as of September 2026.
What is the current distribution rate for FXAIX and SPYM?
FXAIX currently distributes 1.03% and SPYM 1.07%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.
Is FXAIX or SPYM better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SPYM currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
Is FXAIX or SPYM safer?
By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — they are effectively tied: FXAIX scores 100, SPYM scores 100. Neither has a clear safety edge on that measure. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.
Which has lower fees, FXAIX or SPYM?
FXAIX has an expense ratio of 0.015% while SPYM charges 0.02%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in FXAIX vs SPYM generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in FXAIX would generate roughly $8.58 per month ($103.00 annually). The same in SPYM would produce about $8.92 per month ($107.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, FXAIX or SPYM?
FXAIX has outpaced SPYM over the trailing twelve months, posting a 17.26% total return against 17.19%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: FXAIX has compounded at 15.52% a year, against 15.49% for SPYM. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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