Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
100% reinvested · 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 outpaced VTI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 16.23% total return against 15.72%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SPYM has compounded at 15.38% a year, against 14.79% for VTI. 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.
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. “Since Nov 2005” measures every fund from November 15, 2005 — the start of shared available history — 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.
Side-by-side snapshot
Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric;
each column is one fund.
Bottom lineChoose SPYM if you want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund. Choose VTI if you want the broadest one-fund diversification at rock-bottom cost.
SPYM vs VTI: large caps or the whole market?
SPYM is the S&P 500 (formerly SPLG). VTI adds mid, small, and micro caps. Cost is tiny on both sides; breadth is the decision.
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.
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 VTI.
SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
SPYM offers the higher yield at 1.07% vs 1.02% for VTI. 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 0.03%.
They have different reference exposures: SPYM is linked to S&P 500 Index while VTI is linked to Morningstar US Total Market Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
VTI is the larger fund by assets ($700B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.
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On a $10,000 investment, SPYM would generate roughly $26.75 cash per distribution, while VTI would produce $25.50 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
SPYM yield1.07%
VTI yield1.02%
Cash diff on $10K$1.25
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SPYM would cost approximately $20 in fees vs $30 for VTI (simplified, not compounded). The $10.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
SPYM ER0.02%
VTI ER0.03%
Strategy & risk
SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach, while VTI tracks Morningstar US Total Market Index. Beta is 1.0 for SPYM and 1.0379 for VTI — effectively similar market sensitivity.
SPYM beta1.0
VTI beta1.0379
Fund details
SPYM is managed by State Street (launched 11/08/2005) with $176B in assets. VTI is managed by Vanguard (launched 05/24/2001) with $700B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SPYM and VTI?
SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index — about 500 US large caps. It is the same fund that used to trade as SPLG. VTI (Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF) tracks Morningstar US Total Market Index and adds every US mid, small, and micro cap on top. Cost is 0.02% versus 0.03%; distributions are 1.07% and 1.02% as of September 2026. Holding both mostly doubles the S&P 500 names that already sit inside VTI.
Is SPLG the same as SPYM?
Yes — same fund, new ticker. State Street renamed the State Street 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: 1.07% distribution yield at a 0.02% expense ratio, with $176B in assets as of September 2026.
What is the current distribution rate for SPYM and VTI?
SPYM currently distributes 1.07% and VTI 1.02%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.
Is SPYM or VTI 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.
Is SPYM or VTI safer?
By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — they are effectively tied: SPYM scores 100, VTI scores 100. Neither has a clear safety edge on that measure. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.
Which has lower fees, SPYM or VTI?
SPYM has an expense ratio of 0.02% while VTI charges 0.03%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in SPYM vs VTI generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in SPYM would generate roughly $26.75 cash per distribution ($107.00 annually). The same in VTI would produce about $25.50 cash per distribution ($102.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, SPYM or VTI?
SPYM has outpaced VTI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 16.23% total return against 15.72%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SPYM has compounded at 15.38% a year, against 14.79% for VTI. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Explore related screeners
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