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ETF Comparison

SCHG vs SPYM: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF and SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated August 7, 2026

Best for

  • SCHGInvestors who want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside.
  • SPYMInvestors who want higher current income (1.06% vs 0.38% for SCHG).

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

ETFs34
Total AUM$605B

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

Schwab is known for offering low-cost, broad-based ETFs that serve both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies. Their 33-fund lineup spans multiple asset classes including bonds, equities, international markets, digital assets, and factor-based strategies, with a notable emphasis on dividend-focused funds like SCHD alongside core index options. The issuer emphasizes accessibility for individual investors through competitive expense ratios and a diverse range of fund families designed to support various investment objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SCHG.

ETFs180
Total AUM$2080B

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.

Side-by-side snapshot

SCHGSPYM
Full nameSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETFSPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF
IssuerSchwabState Street
Last Close$35.42 as of August 7, 2026$90.47 as of August 7, 2026
Distribution yield0.38%1.06%
Distribution Safety Score™ 100100
Expense ratio0.04%0.02%
AUM$62.4B$157B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexDow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market IndexS&P 500 Index
ObjectiveSeeks to track the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, holding the components ranked 1-750 by full market capitalization that are classified as growth.Tracks the S&P 500 Index, providing broad U.S. large-cap equity exposure at a low cost.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date12/11/200911/08/2005
Beta1.211.0
Last dividend$0.0340$0.2390
Ex-dividend date06/24/202606/12/2026

Bottom lineChoose SCHG if you want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside. Choose SPYM if you want higher current income (1.06% vs 0.38% for SCHG).

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Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

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

Total returns

SCHG has lagged SPYM over the trailing twelve months, posting a 19.12% total return against 23.82%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SCHG has compounded at 18.52% a year, ahead of SPYM at 15.37%. SPYM has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 15.0% against 19.5% for SCHG. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

SymbolYTD1Y3Y5Y10YSince Dec 2009Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
SCHG9.23%19.12%23.74%13.67%18.52%16.60%19.5%0.871.24-23.4%
SPYM13.13%23.82%21.07%13.31%15.37%14.43%15.0%0.981.41-18.7%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 6, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Dec 2009” measures every fund from December 11, 2009 — 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.

Quick verdict

SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) and SPYM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

SPYM offers the higher yield at 1.06% vs 0.38% for SCHG. 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 0.04%.

They track different benchmarks: SCHG is linked to Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index while SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

SPYM is the larger fund by assets ($157B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, SCHG would generate roughly $3.17/month, while SPYM would produce $8.83/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

SCHG yield0.38%
SPYM yield1.06%
Monthly diff on $10K$5.67

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, SCHG would cost approximately $40 in fees vs $20 for SPYM (simplified, not compounded). The $20.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

SCHG ER0.04%
SPYM ER0.02%

Strategy & risk

SCHG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, while SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. Beta is 1.21 for SCHG and 1.0 for SPYM, indicating SPYM is less volatile relative to the market.

SCHG beta1.21
SPYM beta1.0

Fund details

SCHG is managed by Schwab (launched 12/11/2009) with $62.4B in assets. SPYM is managed by State Street (launched 11/08/2005) with $157B in assets.

SCHG AUM$62.4B
SPYM AUM$157B

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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution yield for SCHG and SPYM?

SCHG currently distributes 0.38% and SPYM 1.06%, based on fund data updated August 2026. Distribution yield moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is SCHG 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.

What is the difference between SCHG and SPYM?

SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, while SPYM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. They are issued by Schwab and State Street respectively.

Can I hold both SCHG and SPYM?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Which has lower fees, SCHG or SPYM?

SCHG has an expense ratio of 0.04% 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 SCHG vs SPYM generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in SCHG would generate roughly $3.17 per month ($38.00 annually). The same in SPYM would produce about $8.83 per month ($106.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, SCHG or SPYM?

SCHG has lagged SPYM over the trailing twelve months, posting a 19.12% total return against 23.82%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SCHG has compounded at 18.52% a year, ahead of SPYM at 15.37%. SPYM has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 15.0% against 19.5% for SCHG. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

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