ETF Comparison
NOBL vs SDY: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 5, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| NOBL | SDY | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF | SPDR S&P Dividend ETF |
| Issuer | ProShares | State Street |
| Price | $105.97 | $145.84 |
| Distribution yield | 1.94% | 2.33% |
| Expense ratio | 0.35% | 0.35% |
| AUM | $12.0B | $22.1B |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index | S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index |
| Objective | Dividend Income | Dividend Income |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 10/09/2013 | — |
| Beta | 0.76 | 0.68 |
| Last dividend | $0.51 | $0.87 |
| Ex-dividend date | 03/25/2026 | 03/23/2026 |
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
NOBL (ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF) and SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) are both popular quarterly-pay dividend income ETFs, but they take different approaches.
SDY offers the higher yield at 2.33% vs 1.94% for NOBL. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
They track different benchmarks: NOBL is linked to S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index while SDY tracks S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
SDY is the larger fund by assets ($22.1B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, NOBL would generate roughly $16.17/month while SDY would produce $19.42/month at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, NOBL would cost approximately $350 in fees vs $350 for SDY (simplified, not compounded). Both charge the same expense ratio.
Strategy & risk
NOBL tracks S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index with a dividend income approach, while SDY tracks S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index using a dividend income strategy. Beta is 0.76 for NOBL and 0.68 for SDY, indicating SDY is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
NOBL is managed by ProShares (launched 10/09/2013) with $12.0B in assets. SDY is managed by State Street (launched —) with $22.1B in assets.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
Frequently asked questions
Is NOBL or SDY better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SDY 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.
What is the difference between NOBL and SDY?
NOBL (ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF) tracks S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index with a dividend income strategy, while SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) tracks S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index with a dividend income approach. They are issued by ProShares and State Street respectively.
Can I hold both NOBL and SDY?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify across different strategies and underlying indexes. This can reduce concentration risk while maintaining a strong income stream.
Which has lower fees, NOBL or SDY?
NOBL has an expense ratio of 0.35% while SDY charges 0.35%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in NOBL vs SDY generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in NOBL would generate roughly $16.17 per month ($194.00 annually). The same in SDY would produce about $19.42 per month ($233.00 annually).
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