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 18, 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
100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings.
IVV has lagged SPYM over the trailing twelve months, posting a 17.17% total return against 17.19%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SPYM has compounded at 15.49% a year, against 15.45% 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.
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 Nov 2005” measures every fund from November 15, 2005 — 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.
Seeks 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
IVV offers the higher yield at 1.15% vs 1.07% for SPYM. 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 ($818B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.
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On a $10,000 investment, IVV would generate roughly $9.58/month, while SPYM would produce $8.92/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
IVV yield1.15%
SPYM yield1.07%
Monthly diff on $10K$0.67
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 $818B 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 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 $818B versus $157B. Distributions are 1.15% and 1.07% 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: 1.07% 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 1.15% 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 IVV or SPYM better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IVV 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 $9.58 per month ($115.00 annually). The same in SPYM would produce about $8.92 per month ($107.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, IVV or SPYM?
IVV has lagged SPYM over the trailing twelve months, posting a 17.17% total return against 17.19%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SPYM has compounded at 15.49% a year, against 15.45% for IVV. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Explore related screeners
Lateral filters that include these funds — browse the full peer set on DividendVision.
IVV and SPYM are both S&P 500 index ETFs that track the same underlying index and charge minimal fees. The key distinction is scale: IVV is the larger fund with $818B in assets versus $157B for SPYM, and a slightly higher expense ratio of 0.03% versus 0.02%.
How they differ
Both ETFs track the S&P 500 identically, so their performance and holdings are virtually the same. Second, distribution yield is marginally different: IVV yields 1.15% while SPYM yields 1.07%, a spread driven by timing of dividend captures and fund mechanics rather than strategy.
Who each is best for
IVV: Fits investors prioritizing maximum liquidity and the confidence of the largest S&P 500 ETF, especially those trading in institutional size or building a core equity position where bid-ask spread matters.
Key risks to know
Index concentration in mega-cap tech. Both funds reflect the S&P 500's current heavy weighting toward a handful of technology and consumer-discretionary names. A sector rotation would flow through both equally.
Reinvestment-yield dependence. The quoted distribution rates assume reinvestment of dividends at past yields. Actual total return will differ if dividend yields change or if interest rates affect reinvestment rates.
Limited differentiation on price movement. Both track the same index with near-identical holdings, so any outperformance by one is likely driven by fee drag or timing of dividend payouts, not strategy. A trader switching between them realizes minimal gain. If you're cost-conscious and view the 0.01% expense-ratio difference as material over your holding period, SPYM's 0.02% fee makes sense. Both track the same index and will move together; the choice hinges on liquidity needs and fee sensitivity, not fundamentals. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.
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