VTI vs SPLG: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared

Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPLG) are compared below using data through the October 14, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.

Over the past year, SPLG returned +17.53% with dividends reinvested, compared with +16.64% for VTI. VTI currently yields 1.05% (trailing 12-month) against 1.01% for SPLG. Across five years the total-return gap is +86.62% for SPLG vs +76.17% for VTI.

The higher-yielding fund (VTI) has trailed on 1-year total return. Yield only measures the income a fund pays; total return also counts the change in share price, so it is the fuller basis for comparing the two.

Across 1,265 shared trading dates from September 30, 2021 to October 14, 2026, the largest observed peak-to-trough decline with dividends reinvested was -25.36% for VTI and -24.49% for SPLG. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.

VTI's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending October 14, 2026 ranged from $0.9508 to $1.04 per share across 4 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.

SPLG's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending October 14, 2026 ranged from $0.1941 to $0.2392 per share across 4 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.

Fund expense ratios are annual operating costs, not a bill added to the historical returns shown here. Trading spreads, brokerage costs and personal taxes can reduce an investor's realized return.