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ETF Comparison

IVV vs SPYM: Same S&P 500 Job, iShares or SPDR?

A head-to-head of iShares Core S&P 500 and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 covering issuer, cost, and construction.

Data updated September 4, 2026

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

IVV has lagged SPYM over the trailing twelve months, posting a 21.07% total return against 21.08%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SPYM has compounded at 15.36% a year, against 15.31% for IVV. 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.
SymbolYTD1Y3Y5Y10YSince Nov 2005Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
IVV13.39%21.07%21.29%12.78%15.31%11.28%15.0%0.991.43-18.8%
SPYM13.38%21.08%21.28%12.78%15.36%11.31%14.9%1.001.44-18.7%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 4, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Nov 2005” measures every fund from November 15, 2005 — the youngest fund's first trading day — 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.
MetricIVVSPYM
Full nameiShares Core S&P 500 ETFState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF
IssueriSharesState Street
Last Close$773.92 as of September 4, 2026$90.67 as of September 4, 2026
Distribution rate1.03%1.05%
Distribution Safety Score™ 100100
Safety-Adjusted Yield 1.03%1.05%
Expense ratio0.03%0.02%
AUM$871B$157B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexS&P 500 IndexS&P 500 Index
ObjectiveSeeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-capitalization U.S. equities, measuring the performance of the large-cap sector of the U.S. equity market as determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices.Tracks the S&P 500 Index, providing broad U.S. large-cap equity exposure at a low cost.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date05/15/200011/08/2005
Beta1.01.0
Last dividend$1.9956$0.239
Ex-dividend date06/15/202606/12/2026

Bottom lineIVV and SPYM are nearly interchangeable — both track the S&P 500 with very similar cost and risk. The clearest tie-breaker is cost: SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% vs 0.03%.

Two S&P 500 ETFs, iShares versus SPDR

Both track the S&P 500. Issuer, fee, and construction decide whether a second fund adds anything.

IVVSPYM
JobS&P 500 (iShares Core)S&P 500 (SPDR Portfolio)
Expense ratio0.03%0.02%
Fund size$871B$157B
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Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

iShares
ETFs466
Total AUM$4668B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on IVV.

See all iShares ETFs
State Street
ETFs179
Total AUM$2129B

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.

See all State Street ETFs

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Quick verdict

IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) and SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

SPYM offers the higher yield at 1.05% vs 1.03% for IVV. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

SPYM is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.02% compared to 0.03%.

IVV is the larger fund by assets ($871B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, IVV would generate roughly $8.58/month, while SPYM would produce $8.75/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

IVV yield1.03%
SPYM yield1.05%
Monthly diff on $10K$0.17

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, IVV would cost approximately $30 in fees vs $20 for SPYM (simplified, not compounded). The $10.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

IVV ER0.03%
SPYM ER0.02%

Strategy & risk

IVV tracks S&P 500 Index, while SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach.

IVV beta1.0
SPYM beta1.0

Fund details

IVV is managed by iShares (launched 05/15/2000) with $871B in assets. SPYM is managed by State Street (launched 11/08/2005) with $157B in assets.

IVV AUM$871B
SPYM AUM$157B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between IVV and SPYM?

IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) and SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) both track the S&P 500. Issuer and cost decide whether a second fund adds anything. Cost is 0.03% versus 0.02%; size is $871B versus $157B. Distributions are 1.03% and 1.05% as of September 2026.

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: 1.05% distribution yield at a 0.02% expense ratio, with $157B in assets as of September 2026.

What is the current distribution rate for IVV and SPYM?

IVV currently distributes 1.03% and SPYM 1.05%, 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 IVV 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 IVV 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: IVV 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, IVV or SPYM?

IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% 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 IVV vs SPYM generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in IVV would generate roughly $8.58 per month ($103.00 annually). The same in SPYM would produce about $8.75 per month ($105.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, IVV or SPYM?

IVV has lagged SPYM over the trailing twelve months, posting a 21.07% total return against 21.08%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SPYM has compounded at 15.36% a year, against 15.31% for IVV. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

IVV vs SPYM — at a glance

Generated September 5, 2026.

Overview

IVV and SPYM are both ETFs tracking the S&P 500 Index, offering broad exposure to large-cap U.S. equities. The key distinction lies in their size and fee structure: IVV is the substantially larger fund with $871B in assets, while SPYM offers a marginally lower expense ratio at 0.02% versus 0.03%. Both maintain identical underlying exposure and quarterly dividend distributions. The first material difference is scale—IVV holds $871B versus SPYM's $157B, a gap that reflects IVV's longer track record (inception 05/15/2000 versus 11/08/2005). On fees, SPYM edges ahead with an expense ratio of 0.02%, compared to IVV's 0.03%—a 1 basis point advantage that compounds over decades but remains negligible in absolute terms given both funds' low costs. Both carry a beta of 1.0, confirming they move in lockstep with the broader market.

Who each is best for

IVV: Fits investors seeking the most liquid and established S&P 500 tracker, with the deepest trading volume and longest operational history.

SPYM: Fits cost-conscious investors who prioritize the lowest possible expense ratio and are comfortable with a smaller fund that still maintains robust liquidity.

Key risks to know

  • Index tracking and reconstitution risk: Both funds are mechanically bound to S&P 500 constituents and their weightings. Changes to index membership or methodology filter through both equally, and neither offers active discretion to avoid sector concentration or deteriorating holdings.
  • Large-cap concentration: The S&P 500's weighting skews heavily toward the largest technology and financial firms. Investors in either fund carry meaningful exposure to a small number of stocks, and extended underperformance or volatility in those names affects both identically.
  • Equity market cyclicality: Both funds reflect broad market risk. Economic downturns, rising interest rates, and sector rotations away from large caps can drive losses in either holding with equal force.
  • Liquidity and AUM decline risk for SPYM: While SPYM maintains adequate trading volume today, significant asset outflows to larger competitors could eventually reduce spreads and trading depth, making it less attractive for large positions.

Bottom line

If you prioritize absolute lowest cost and don't require maximum liquidity, SPYM's 1 basis point expense advantage offers modest long-term value; if you want the deepest liquidity and longest institutional acceptance, IVV's $871B in assets and established market presence stand out. Both deliver identical S&P 500 tracking and yield, so the choice hinges on fund size and fee preference rather than fundamental performance divergence. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

What the distribution rate really tells you Why a high yield isn't high income How to read a fund's stats

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