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 SPYD and SPYM.
Track the S&P 500 High Dividend Index, holding the highest-yielding stocks within the S&P 500.
Tracks the S&P 500 Index, providing broad U.S. large-cap equity exposure at a low cost.
Asset class
Equity
Equity
Inception date
10/21/2015
11/08/2005
Beta
0.64
1.0
Last dividend
$0.5430
$0.2390
Ex-dividend date
06/22/2026
06/12/2026
Bottom lineChoose SPYD if you want higher current income (4.35% vs 1.06% for SPYM). Choose SPYM if you want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund.
Most used
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
SPYD has lagged SPYM over the trailing twelve months, posting a 21.88% total return against 23.41%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SPYM has compounded at 15.45% a year, against 8.90% for SPYD. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 5, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Oct 2015” measures every fund from October 22, 2015 — 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
SPYD (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF) and SPYM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
SPYD offers the higher yield at 4.35% vs 1.06% 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 0.07%.
They track different benchmarks: SPYD is linked to S&P 500 High Dividend 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.
Who should choose each?
Choose SPYD
SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF
Want higher current income — SPYD yields 4.35% vs 1.06% for SPYM.
Want a quality-dividend tilt — screened payers rather than the broad index.
Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 0.6 vs 1.0 for SPYM.
Choose SPYM
SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF
Want simple, diversified core exposure as a portfolio building block.
Want to keep costs low — a 0.02% expense ratio vs 0.07% for SPYD.
Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.
Still deciding? Track SPYD & SPYM for free
Create a free Dividend Vision account to keep them on a watchlist, get notified when they declare dividends, and see how much income they would add to your portfolio.
On a $10,000 investment, SPYD would generate roughly $36.25/month, while SPYM would produce $8.83/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
SPYD yield4.35%
SPYM yield1.06%
Monthly diff on $10K$27.42
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SPYD would cost approximately $70 in fees vs $20 for SPYM (simplified, not compounded). The $50.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
SPYD ER0.07%
SPYM ER0.02%
Strategy & risk
SPYD tracks S&P 500 High Dividend Index with a dividend approach, while SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. Beta is 0.64 for SPYD and 1.0 for SPYM, indicating SPYD is less volatile relative to the market.
SPYD beta0.64
SPYM beta1.0
Fund details
SPYD is managed by State Street (launched 10/21/2015) with $8.75B 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 current distribution yield for SPYD and SPYM?
SPYD currently distributes 4.35% 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 SPYD or SPYM better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SPYD 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 SPYD and SPYM?
SPYD (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF) tracks S&P 500 High Dividend Index with a dividend approach, while SPYM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. They are issued by State Street and State Street respectively.
Can I hold both SPYD 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, SPYD or SPYM?
SPYD has an expense ratio of 0.07% 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 SPYD vs SPYM generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in SPYD would generate roughly $36.25 per month ($435.00 annually). The same in SPYM would produce about $8.83 per month ($106.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, SPYD or SPYM?
SPYD has lagged SPYM over the trailing twelve months, posting a 21.88% total return against 23.41%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SPYM has compounded at 15.45% a year, against 8.90% for SPYD. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Explore related screeners
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