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Dividend Vision

ETF Comparison

SPYM vs VT: U.S. Large Caps or Global Stocks?

SPYM tracks the S&P 500. VT tracks the FTSE Global All Cap Index, including U.S. and non-U.S. stocks across company sizes. Choose the geographic allocation you want before comparing their distributions.

Updated September 30, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • SPYMInvestors who want U.S. large-cap exposure and accept country concentration.
  • VTInvestors who want global stock exposure and accept foreign-market and currency risks.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

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 Β· ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.

SPYM has lagged VT over the trailing twelve months, posting a 16.23% total return against 16.81%. The picture flips over 10 years, though β€” SPYM has compounded at 15.38% a year, ahead of VT at 12.39%. 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.
SymbolYTD cumulative1Y cumulative3Y annualized5Y annualized10Y annualizedSince Jun 2008Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
SPYM12.54%16.23%22.91%13.50%15.38%12.31%14.9%1.091.58-18.7%
VT12.03%16.81%21.71%11.20%12.39%8.81%14.5%1.051.53-16.5%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 30, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. β€œSince Jun 2008” measures every fund from June 26, 2008 β€” the start of shared available history β€” 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) β€” higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window β€” shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricSPYMVT
Full nameState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETFVanguard Total World Stock ETF
IssuerState StreetVanguard
Underlying indexS&P 500 IndexFTSE Global All Cap Index
Last Close$89.76 as of September 30, 2026$157.85 as of September 30, 2026
Distribution rate1.07%1.03%
Trailing 12-month yield1.01%1.53%
Distribution Safety Scoreβ„’ 10089
Safety-Adjusted Yield 1.07%0.92%
Expense ratio0.02%0.06%
AUM$176B$82.9B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
ObjectiveTracks the S&P 500 Index, providing broad U.S. large-cap equity exposure at a low cost.Track the FTSE Global All Cap Index, covering developed and emerging markets.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date11/08/200506/24/2008
Beta1.00.98
Last dividend$0.239$0.408
Ex-dividend date09/11/202609/18/2026

Bottom lineChoose SPYM if you want U.S. large-cap exposure and accept country concentration. Choose VT if you want global stock exposure and accept foreign-market and currency risks.

U.S. large caps versus global equities

SPYM tracks the S&P 500. VT tracks the FTSE Global All Cap Index, including U.S. and non-U.S. stocks across company sizes. Choose the geographic allocation you want before comparing their distributions.

SPYMVT
ApproachS&P 500 U.S. large-cap equitiesGlobal large-, mid-, and small-cap equities
Risk reviewU.S. large-cap concentration; global business exposure remainsGlobal equity, foreign-currency, and emerging-market risks
Expense ratio0.02%0.06%
Portfolio fitReview combined holdings and weightsReview combined holdings and weights

Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

ETFs179
Total AUM$2148B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks β€” 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.

ETFs116
Total AUM$4677B

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

Vanguard is one of the largest and most established ETF issuers, known for low-cost, broadly diversified fund offerings built on passive indexing principles. Their lineup spans multiple asset classes and strategies, including core equity and bond index funds, dividend-focused portfolios, ESG-screened options, factor-based strategies, sector exposure, target-date retirement funds, and international investments across developed and emerging markets. The platform is characterized by its emphasis on accessibility and cost efficiency across a comprehensive range of fund families, serving both individual investors seeking broad market exposure and those pursuing specific income, sustainability, or thematic objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VT.

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Quick verdict

SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) and VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

SPYM offers the higher yield at 1.07% vs 1.03% for VT. 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 0.06%.

They have different reference exposures: SPYM is linked to S&P 500 Index while VT is linked to FTSE Global All Cap Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

SPYM is the larger fund by assets ($176B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, SPYM would generate roughly $26.75 cash per distribution, while VT would produce $25.75 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

SPYM yield1.07%
VT yield1.03%
Cash diff on $10K$1.00

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, SPYM would cost approximately $20 in fees vs $60 for VT (simplified, not compounded). The $40.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

SPYM ER0.02%
VT ER0.06%

Strategy & risk

SPYM tracks the S&P 500. VT tracks the FTSE Global All Cap Index, including U.S. and non-U.S. stocks across company sizes. Choose the geographic allocation you want before comparing their distributions. Beta describes historical benchmark sensitivity, not guaranteed downside protection.

SPYM beta1.0
VT beta0.98

Fund details

SPYM is managed by State Street (launched 11/08/2005) with $176B in assets. VT is managed by Vanguard (launched 06/24/2008) with $82.9B in assets.

SPYM AUM$176B
VT AUM$82.9B

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Frequently asked questions

Does adding SPYM to VT eliminate VT's diversification?

No. VT already includes U.S. large-cap stocks, so adding SPYM increases that allocation rather than adding a new market. The non-U.S. and smaller-company exposures remain in proportion to the amount held in VT. Review combined country weights. U.S.-listed companies can also be affected by foreign sales and currencies.

How should I compare risk and ownership costs?

Use matching dates and definitions for returns, distributions, and fees. Beta describes historical benchmark sensitivity, not guaranteed downside protection. Check current bid-ask spreads and premiums or discounts; AUM alone does not determine the price available for your order.

More comparisons to explore

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.