Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF SharesState Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF
Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day
Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.
Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Nov 7, 2025 – Nov 9, 2026
DividendDuel.comThis page compares Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) with State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) using prices and distributions through November 9, 2026. The numbers update automatically after each trading session.
With dividends reinvested, SDY has led over the last 12 months at +22.28% versus +18.85% for VYM. SDY currently yields 2.31% (trailing 12-month) against 2.26% for VYM. Across five years the total-return gap is +70.42% for VYM vs +47.98% for SDY.
SDY leads on both current yield and 1-year total return. Yields and returns move with markets, so check the longer periods below before drawing conclusions.
| Metric | VYM | SDY |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $162.72 | $163.52 |
| Dividend yield | 2.26% (TTM) | 2.31% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| Pays | quarterly | quarterly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $3.68 (4 payments) | $3.78 (4 payments) |
| Issuer | Vanguard | State Street |
| Inception | — | — |
Key fund stats as of the latest close.
Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.
Latest payout, trailing 12-month total and the last 12 distributions.
Income and ending returns do not describe the whole investment experience.
Across 1,265 shared trading dates from October 26, 2021 to November 9, 2026, the largest observed peak-to-trough decline with dividends reinvested was -15.87% for VYM and -15.21% for SDY. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.
VYM's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.8617 to $0.9795 per share across 4 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.
SDY's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.8743 to $1.02 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.
Strategy notes checked against issuer sources on ; market figures above update separately.
Tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, providing exposure to U.S. companies with comparatively high forecast dividend yields.
A higher dividend yield does not protect against a decline in share price. Compare the portfolio's exposure and total return as well as its distributions.
Source: Vanguard VYM fact sheet. Read the current issuer documents for complete objectives, holdings and risks.
The latest 12 distributions per share, newest first. Dates are reported ex-dividend dates, not cash payment dates.
| VYM | SDY | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 18, 2026 | $0.8869 | Sep 21, 2026 | $0.9168 |
| Jun 18, 2026 | $0.9795 | Jun 22, 2026 | $0.968 |
| Mar 20, 2026 | $0.8617 | Mar 23, 2026 | $0.8743 |
| Dec 19, 2025 | $0.9474 | Dec 22, 2025 | $1.02 |
| Sep 19, 2025 | $0.8417 | Sep 22, 2025 | $0.8709 |
| Jun 20, 2025 | $0.8617 | Jun 23, 2025 | $0.9274 |
| Mar 21, 2025 | $0.850 | Mar 24, 2025 | $0.8184 |
| Dec 20, 2024 | $0.9642 | Dec 20, 2024 | $1.03 |
| Sep 20, 2024 | $0.8511 | Sep 20, 2024 | $0.7852 |
| Jun 21, 2024 | $1.02 | Jun 21, 2024 | $0.8589 |
| Mar 15, 2024 | $0.6555 | Mar 15, 2024 | $0.7079 |
| Dec 18, 2023 | $1.10 | Dec 15, 2023 | $0.9782 |
As of November 9, 2026, VYM yields 2.26% (trailing 12-month) and SDY yields 2.31% (trailing 12-month), so SDY currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.
Over the past year with dividends reinvested, VYM returned +18.85% and SDY returned +22.28%. Over five years, VYM returned +70.42% and SDY returned +47.98%. Past performance does not predict future results.
With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before November 9, 2026 would have grown to about $11,885 in VYM and $12,228 in SDY.
VYM pays quarterly (4 payments in the last 12 months) and SDY pays quarterly (4 payments).
It depends on your goals, time horizon and tax situation. Income-focused investors often weigh yield and payment frequency, while long-term investors usually compare total return and fees. Dividend Duel is an educational tool and does not provide investment advice.
Compare payment history with total return and fees. Check whether a larger current yield comes with different drawdowns or less consistent distributions; a dividend-growth label does not promise future increases.
Review Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) payment history and State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) payment history before choosing assumptions for the dividend reinvestment calculator. Run each scenario separately; the calculator uses your rates rather than importing these historical returns.
For a cash target, use the income goal calculator. Read our guide to comparing dividend ETFs and data and editorial approach for context on the historical figures.
More side-by-side comparisons with VYM and SDY.
Published by Delta Dividends LLC. This page is for education only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Read the full disclosure.