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 SPY.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Vanguard is known for offering low-cost, passively managed ETFs that emphasize broad market exposure and long-term investing. The company operates 175 ETFs across diverse fund families including Index, Bond, Equity, Dividend, Income, International, Factor, and ESG strategies, serving investors with various goals from core portfolio building to specialized income generation. Notable for its scale and popular tickers like VB (total U.S. small-cap), BND (total bond market), and VBIAX (international bonds), Vanguard focuses on providing comprehensive, index-based investment solutions with an emphasis on cost efficiency and accessibility.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VT.
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) and VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
VT offers the higher yield at 1.44% vs 1.01% for SPY. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
VT is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.07% compared to 0.10%.
They track different benchmarks: SPY is linked to S&P 500 Index while VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
SPY is the larger fund by assets ($783B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, SPY would generate roughly $8.42/month, while VT would produce $12.00/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
SPY yield1.01%
VT yield1.44%
Monthly diff on $10K$3.58
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SPY would cost approximately $100 in fees vs $70 for VT (simplified, not compounded). The $30.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
SPY ER0.10%
VT ER0.07%
Strategy & risk
SPY tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach, while VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap Index with an international approach. Beta is 1.0 for SPY and 0.98 for VT, indicating VT is less volatile relative to the market.
SPY beta1.0
VT beta0.98
Fund details
SPY is managed by State Street (launched 01/22/1993) with $783B in assets. VT is managed by Vanguard (launched 06/24/2008) with $74.1B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is SPY or VT better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VT 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 SPY and VT?
SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach, while VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) tracks FTSE Global All Cap Index with an international approach. They are issued by State Street and Vanguard respectively.
Can I hold both SPY and VT?
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, SPY or VT?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.10% while VT charges 0.07%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in SPY vs VT generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in SPY would generate roughly $8.42 per month ($101.00 annually). The same in VT would produce about $12.00 per month ($144.00 annually).
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