SPY vs VTI: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared
SPDR S&P 500 ETF TrustVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day
Performance: SPY vs VTI
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.comSPY vs VTI at a glance
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) are compared below using data through the November 9, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.
Over the past year, VTI returned +13.65% with dividends reinvested, compared with +13.39% for SPY. VTI currently yields 1.06% (trailing 12-month) against 1.01% for SPY. Across five years the total-return gap is +72.21% for SPY vs +64.28% for VTI.
VTI 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 | SPY | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $752.69 | $370.90 |
| Dividend yield | 1.01% (TTM) | 1.06% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | — |
| Pays | quarterly | quarterly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $7.58 (4 payments) | $3.95 (4 payments) |
| Issuer | SPDR | Vanguard |
| Inception | — | — |
Overview
Key fund stats as of the latest close.
Total returns
Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.
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 -24.50% for SPY and -25.36% for VTI. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.
SPY's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $1.80 to $1.99 per share across 4 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.
VTI's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 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.
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.
Recent distributions
The latest 12 distributions per share, newest first. Dates are reported ex-dividend dates, not cash payment dates.
| SPY | VTI | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 18, 2026 | $1.89 | Sep 28, 2026 | $0.9555 |
| Jun 18, 2026 | $1.90 | Jun 26, 2026 | $1.04 |
| Mar 20, 2026 | $1.80 | Mar 27, 2026 | $0.9982 |
| Dec 19, 2025 | $1.99 | Dec 22, 2025 | $0.9508 |
| Sep 19, 2025 | $1.83 | Sep 29, 2025 | $0.9072 |
| Jun 20, 2025 | $1.76 | Jun 30, 2025 | $0.9132 |
| Mar 21, 2025 | $1.70 | Mar 27, 2025 | $0.9854 |
| Dec 20, 2024 | $1.97 | Dec 23, 2024 | $0.9412 |
| Sep 20, 2024 | $1.75 | Sep 27, 2024 | $0.8707 |
| Jun 21, 2024 | $1.76 | Jun 28, 2024 | $0.9519 |
| Mar 15, 2024 | $1.59 | Mar 22, 2024 | $0.9105 |
| Dec 15, 2023 | $1.91 | Dec 21, 2023 | $1.00 |
SPY vs VTI: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or VTI?
As of November 9, 2026, SPY yields 1.01% (trailing 12-month) and VTI yields 1.06% (trailing 12-month), so VTI currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.
Which has performed better, SPY or VTI?
Over the past year with dividends reinvested, SPY returned +13.39% and VTI returned +13.65%. Over five years, SPY returned +72.21% and VTI returned +64.28%. Past performance does not predict future results.
What would $10,000 in SPY vs VTI be worth after one year?
With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before November 9, 2026 would have grown to about $11,339 in SPY and $11,365 in VTI.
How often do SPY and VTI pay dividends?
SPY pays quarterly (4 payments in the last 12 months) and VTI pays quarterly (4 payments).
Is SPY or VTI 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 SPY and VTI beyond the yield
Start with the index each fund tracks, then compare expenses, inception dates and performance over a shared period. Similar names do not establish identical holdings or results.
Review SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) payment history and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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 SPY and VTI.
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.