VYM vs SPYD: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared

Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF SharesState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF

Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day

Performance: VYM vs SPYD

Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.

VYMSPYD

Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Nov 7, 2025 – Nov 9, 2026

DividendDuel.com
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Higher yieldSPYD4.12% vs 2.26%
Better 1-year total returnSPYD+22.34% vs +18.85%
Better 5-year total returnVYM+70.42% vs +51.36%
Expense ratio—VYM n/a · SPYD n/a

VYM vs SPYD at a glance

This page compares Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) with State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) using prices and distributions through November 9, 2026. The numbers update automatically after each trading session.

With dividends reinvested, SPYD has led over the last 12 months at +22.34% versus +18.85% for VYM. SPYD currently yields 4.12% (trailing 12-month) against 2.26% for VYM. Across five years the total-return gap is +70.42% for VYM vs +51.36% for SPYD.

SPYD 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.

Key figures for VYM and SPYD
MetricVYMSPYD
Last close$162.72$50.00
Dividend yield2.26% (TTM)4.12% (TTM)
Expense ratio——
Paysquarterlyquarterly
Dividends, last 12 months$3.68 (4 payments)$2.06 (4 payments)
IssuerVanguardState Street
Inception——

Overview

Key fund stats as of the latest close.

ETFTTM yield1Y total returnLast closeLast dividendPaysIssuer
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares
2.26%
+18.85%$162.72$0.8869QuarterlyVanguard
SPYDState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF
4.12%
Best+22.34%$50.00$0.5178QuarterlyState Street

Total returns

Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.

ETF1M3M6M1Y2Y5Y
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares+2.50%-1.21%+5.90%+18.85%+29.23%+70.42%
SPYDState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF+9.22%+1.30%+9.51%+22.34%+18.91%+51.36%

Dividends

Latest payout, trailing 12-month total and the last 12 distributions.

ETFLatest payoutvs. priorTrailing 12MRecent payouts
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares$0.8869Sep 18, 2026-9.45%$3.67554 payoutsDec 18, 2023: $1.0995Mar 15, 2024: $0.6555Jun 21, 2024: $1.0237Sep 20, 2024: $0.8511Dec 20, 2024: $0.9642Mar 21, 2025: $0.85Jun 20, 2025: $0.8617Sep 19, 2025: $0.8417Dec 19, 2025: $0.9474Mar 20, 2026: $0.8617Jun 18, 2026: $0.9795Sep 18, 2026: $0.8869
SPYDState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF$0.5178Sep 21, 2026-4.62%$2.064 payoutsDec 15, 2023: $0.534Mar 15, 2024: $0.3729Jun 21, 2024: $0.4869Sep 20, 2024: $0.4571Dec 20, 2024: $0.5468Mar 24, 2025: $0.4189Jun 23, 2025: $0.50Sep 22, 2025: $0.4888Dec 22, 2025: $0.5493Mar 23, 2026: $0.45Jun 22, 2026: $0.5428Sep 21, 2026: $0.5178

Downside and distribution variability

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 -22.20% for SPYD. 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.

SPYD's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.450 to $0.5493 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.

How the fund strategies differ

Strategy notes checked against issuer sources on ; market figures above update separately.

VYM: Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares

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.

Recent distributions

The latest 12 distributions per share, newest first. Dates are reported ex-dividend dates, not cash payment dates.

VYMSPYD
Sep 18, 2026$0.8869Sep 21, 2026$0.5178
Jun 18, 2026$0.9795Jun 22, 2026$0.5428
Mar 20, 2026$0.8617Mar 23, 2026$0.450
Dec 19, 2025$0.9474Dec 22, 2025$0.5493
Sep 19, 2025$0.8417Sep 22, 2025$0.4888
Jun 20, 2025$0.8617Jun 23, 2025$0.500
Mar 21, 2025$0.850Mar 24, 2025$0.4189
Dec 20, 2024$0.9642Dec 20, 2024$0.5468
Sep 20, 2024$0.8511Sep 20, 2024$0.4571
Jun 21, 2024$1.02Jun 21, 2024$0.4869
Mar 15, 2024$0.6555Mar 15, 2024$0.3729
Dec 18, 2023$1.10Dec 15, 2023$0.534

VYM vs SPYD: common questions

Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or SPYD?

As of November 9, 2026, VYM yields 2.26% (trailing 12-month) and SPYD yields 4.12% (trailing 12-month), so SPYD currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.

Which has performed better, VYM or SPYD?

Over the past year with dividends reinvested, VYM returned +18.85% and SPYD returned +22.34%. Over five years, VYM returned +70.42% and SPYD returned +51.36%. Past performance does not predict future results.

What would $10,000 in VYM vs SPYD be worth after one year?

With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before November 9, 2026 would have grown to about $11,885 in VYM and $12,234 in SPYD.

How often do VYM and SPYD pay dividends?

VYM pays quarterly (4 payments in the last 12 months) and SPYD pays quarterly (4 payments).

Is VYM or SPYD the better investment?

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.

Research VYM and SPYD beyond the yield

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 Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) 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.

Related comparisons

More side-by-side comparisons with VYM and SPYD.

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.