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Dividend Vision

ETF Comparison

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

A head-to-head comparison of SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated August 14, 2026

Best for

  • SPYMInvestors who want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund.
  • VTInvestors who want broad equity exposure.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricSPYMVT
Full nameSPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETFVanguard Total World Stock ETF
IssuerState StreetVanguard
Last Close$91.39 as of August 14, 2026$162.25 as of August 14, 2026
Distribution yield1.05%1.39%
Distribution Safety Score™ 10096
Expense ratio0.02%0.07%
AUM$157B$80.9B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexS&P 500 IndexFTSE Global All Cap Index
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$0.2390$0.5630
Ex-dividend date06/12/202606/18/2026

Bottom lineChoose SPYM if you want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund. Choose VT if you want broad equity exposure.

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State Street
ETFs180
Total AUM$2127B

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.

See all State Street ETFs
Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4658B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — 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.

See all Vanguard ETFs

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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

SPYM has lagged VT over the trailing twelve months, posting a 21.83% total return against 23.48%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SPYM has compounded at 15.43% a year, ahead of VT at 12.55%. 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.
SymbolYTD1Y3Y5Y10YSince Jun 2008Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
SPYM14.28%21.83%21.69%13.31%15.43%12.50%15.0%1.021.46-18.7%
VT14.86%23.48%20.79%11.12%12.55%9.02%14.5%1.001.45-16.5%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 14, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Jun 2008” measures every fund from June 26, 2008 — 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

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

VT offers the higher yield at 1.39% vs 1.05% 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: SPYM is linked to S&P 500 Index while VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap 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, SPYM would generate roughly $8.75/month, while VT would produce $11.58/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

SPYM yield1.05%
VT yield1.39%
Monthly diff on $10K$2.83

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, SPYM would cost approximately $20 in fees vs $70 for VT (simplified, not compounded). The $50.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

SPYM ER0.02%
VT ER0.07%

Strategy & risk

SPYM 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 SPYM and 0.98 for VT, indicating VT is less volatile relative to the market.

SPYM beta1.0
VT beta0.98

Fund details

SPYM is managed by State Street (launched 11/08/2005) with $157B in assets. VT is managed by Vanguard (launched 06/24/2008) with $80.9B in assets.

SPYM AUM$157B
VT AUM$80.9B
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Frequently asked questions

Is SPLG the same as SPYM?

Yes — same fund, new ticker. State Street renamed the SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF from SPLG to SPYM; the strategy and holdings carried over unchanged, and existing shareholders kept their position under the new symbol. So results for "SPLG" are answered by SPYM's numbers: 1.05% distribution yield at a 0.02% expense ratio, with $157B in assets as of August 2026.

What is the current distribution yield for SPYM and VT?

SPYM currently distributes 1.05% and VT 1.39%, 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 SPYM 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.

Can I hold both SPYM 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.

Is SPYM or VT safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — SPYM scores 100, VT scores 96, so SPYM's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, SPYM or VT?

SPYM has an expense ratio of 0.02% 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 SPYM vs VT generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in SPYM would generate roughly $8.75 per month ($105.00 annually). The same in VT would produce about $11.58 per month ($139.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, SPYM or VT?

SPYM has lagged VT over the trailing twelve months, posting a 21.83% total return against 23.48%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SPYM has compounded at 15.43% a year, ahead of VT at 12.55%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

SPYM vs VT — at a glance

Generated August 15, 2026.

Overview

SPYM and VT are both index-tracking ETFs offering diversified equity exposure, but they cover fundamentally different markets. SPYM tracks the S&P 500, giving you pure U.S. large-cap exposure. VT tracks the FTSE Global All Cap Index, blending U.S., developed international, and emerging markets into a single portfolio. The key distinction is geographic scope: SPYM is domestic-only; VT is globally distributed.

How they differ

The biggest difference is market coverage. SPYM's S&P 500 mandate means 100% U.S. large-cap exposure, while VT's FTSE Global All Cap universe includes developed and emerging markets alongside U.S. holdings. This makes VT's yield higher (1.39% vs. 1.05%), likely reflecting stronger dividend yields in international markets and emerging economies.

Cost-wise, SPYM's expense ratio of 0.02% undercuts VT's 0.07%, though the gap narrows for smaller accounts given SPYM's larger AUM of $157B versus VT's $80.9B. Both trade with near-market-level beta (1.0 and 0.98, respectively), so tracking fidelity is tight in both cases. The real tradeoff is between narrow U.S. focus and global diversification—not between portfolio quality or fund management.

Who each is best for

SPYM: Fits investors seeking maximum exposure to U.S. large-cap growth and technology, with minimal geographic diversification, who prioritize the lowest possible cost structure and want quarterly income tied directly to S&P 500 dividend patterns.

VT: Fits investors building a globally distributed portfolio who want single-fund simplicity covering developed and emerging markets alongside the U.S., and who value exposure to international dividend yields over the minimal cost advantage of a domestic-only fund.

Key risks to know

  • Currency exposure in VT. A significant portion of VT's returns are denominated in non-U.S. currencies (euros, yen, emerging-market currencies). Currency fluctuations can amplify or dampen both gains and dividend reinvestment, adding volatility that SPYM's pure-dollar positioning avoids.
  • Emerging-market concentration within VT. The FTSE Global All Cap Index includes emerging markets, introducing credit risk and political/regulatory risk in markets like China and India. SPYM sidesteps this entirely by limiting itself to U.S. large-caps.
  • U.S. sector concentration in SPYM. By design, SPYM's S&P 500 weighting reflects current U.S. market concentration, which has historically tilted heavily toward technology and financial sectors. This is a feature if you want pure U.S. beta, but a vulnerability if you expect sector mean reversion.
  • International dividend-yield sustainability in VT. VT's higher yield (1.39% vs. 1.05%) reflects current dividend policies in developed and emerging markets, which may contract during downturns more sharply than U.S. yields, creating reinvestment headwinds.

Bottom line

If you want maximum simplicity and the lowest cost for pure U.S. large-cap exposure, SPYM's 0.02% expense ratio and tight S&P 500 tracking are hard to match. If you prefer a single global holding covering developed and emerging markets, VT offers geographic diversification at the cost of currency risk and a slightly higher fee. The choice hinges on whether your portfolio strategy calls for U.S.-only positioning or truly global allocation—and whether you're comfortable managing currency exposure in VT. Past performance in either market does not predict future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

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How to read a fund's stats How expense ratios eat returns Correlation between two funds

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