DIV vs SMDV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, DIV yields more: 6.60% (dividend yield) against 2.31% for SMDV. SMDV is cheaper to own at 0.40% a year vs 0.45%. Over the same 11 years (Feb 2015 to Oct 2026), SMDV returned 7.8% a year with distributions reinvested, and DIV 3.5%.
| Compared | DIV | SMDV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 6.60% | 2.31% |
| Expense ratio | 0.45% | 0.40% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +21.4% | +16.9% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +15.0% | +14.1% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +6.0% | +5.7% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +4.7% | +7.2% |
| Worst drop since Feb 2015 | -45.0% | -24.7% |
| Share price since Feb 2015 | −33% | +85% |
| Pays | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Global X | ProShares |
| Assets | $777.0M | $668.1M |
| Started | 2013 | 2015 |
| Type | Small Value | Small Value |
Higher yield
DIV
6.60%
Lower cost
SMDV
0.40%
Better total return
SMDV
7.8%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SMDV
-24.7%
Key facts: DIV vs SMDV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, DIV yields 6.60% (dividend yield) and SMDV yields 2.31% (dividend yield).
- DIV's expense ratio is 0.45% and SMDV's is 0.40%: $45 vs $40 a year on $10,000.
- From Feb 2015 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in DIV grew to $14,877 (3.5% a year) and $10,000 in SMDV to $24,020 (7.8% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -45.0% for DIV and -24.7% for SMDV.
- 0 of DIV's top ten holdings are also in SMDV's top ten.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "DIV vs SMDV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/div-vs-smdv
$10,000 in each, Feb 2015 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
DIV became
$14,877
3.5% a year
SMDV became
$24,020
7.8% a year
Year by year
| Year | DIV | SMDV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +3.1% | +0.3% |
| 2024 | +11.3% | +7.0% |
| 2023 | −1.7% | +9.0% |
| 2022 | −3.9% | −5.9% |
| 2021 | +30.6% | +19.0% |
| 2020 | −22.8% | −4.8% |
| 2019 | +14.5% | +17.2% |
| 2018 | −6.6% | −0.5% |
| 2017 | +10.0% | +4.6% |
| 2016 | +10.6% | +35.7% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
DIV
- TEN Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd3.8%
- CBL CBL & Associates Properties Inc New2.7%
- SXC SunCoke Energy Inc2.7%
- PAA Plains All American Pipeline LP2.6%
- SFL SFL Corp Ltd2.5%
- TIGO Millicom International Cellular SA2.4%
- UAN CVR Partners LP2.4%
- MO Altria Group Inc2.3%
- NWE NorthWestern Energy Group Inc2.3%
- LTC LTC Properties Inc2.2%
SMDV
- PRGO Perrigo Co PLC2.2%
- MKTX MarketAxess Holdings Inc2.2%
- HNI HNI Corp1.7%
- SCL Stepan Co1.7%
- BMI Badger Meter Inc1.7%
- IOSP Innospec Inc1.7%
- WOR Worthington Enterprises Inc1.7%
- ABM ABM Industries Inc1.7%
- GFF Griffon Corp1.7%
- APOG Apogee Enterprises Inc1.7%
DIV vs SMDV: questions
Is DIV or SMDV better?
It depends on the job. DIV pays more today (6.60% vs 2.31%), SMDV costs less, and SMDV has the better total return over Feb 2015 to Oct 2026, with SMDV holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, DIV or SMDV?
DIV, at 6.60% against 2.31% for SMDV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $660 vs $231 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SMDV. From Feb 2015 to Oct 2026, it returned 7.8% a year with distributions reinvested, against 3.5% for DIV. $10,000 became $24,020 vs $14,877.
Which is cheaper, DIV or SMDV?
SMDV, with a 0.40% expense ratio against 0.45%.
Do DIV and SMDV hold the same things?
Not at the top: none of their top ten holdings match.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.
