SPHD vs VYM: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 8, 2026, SPHD yields more: 4.76% (dividend yield) against 2.31% for VYM. VYM is cheaper to own at 0.04% a year vs 0.30%. Over the same 14 years (Oct 2012 to Oct 2026), VYM returned 12.2% a year with distributions reinvested, and SPHD 9.7%.
SPHDInvesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF4.76%dividend yield
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares2.31%dividend yield| Compared | SPHD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 4.76% | 2.31% |
| Expense ratio | 0.30% | 0.04% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +15.5% | +19.3% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +15.7% | +20.9% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +8.3% | +11.8% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +7.7% | +12.0% |
| Worst drop since Oct 2012 | -30.9% | -24.0% |
| Share price since Oct 2012 | +108% | +228% |
| Pays | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Invesco | Vanguard |
| Assets | $3.4B | $101.0B |
| Started | 2012 | 2006 |
| Type | Large Value | Large Value |
Higher yield
SPHD
4.76%
Lower cost
VYM
0.04%
Better total return
VYM
12.2%/yr
Smaller worst drop
VYM
-24.0%
Key facts: SPHD vs VYM
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 8, 2026, SPHD yields 4.76% (dividend yield) and VYM yields 2.31% (dividend yield).
- SPHD's expense ratio is 0.30% and VYM's is 0.04%: $30 vs $4 a year on $10,000.
- From Oct 2012 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in SPHD grew to $36,575 (9.7% a year) and $10,000 in VYM to $50,227 (12.2% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -30.9% for SPHD and -24.0% for VYM.
- 1 of SPHD's top ten holdings are also in VYM's top ten, an overlap of at least 2% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "SPHD vs VYM: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 8, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/sphd-vs-vym
$10,000 in each, Oct 2012 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
SPHD became
$36,575
9.7% a year
VYM became
$50,227
12.2% a year
Year by year
| Year | SPHD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +3.4% | +15.4% |
| 2024 | +18.1% | +17.6% |
| 2023 | +1.3% | +6.6% |
| 2022 | +0.6% | −0.4% |
| 2021 | +25.0% | +26.2% |
| 2020 | −10.0% | +1.1% |
| 2019 | +20.2% | +24.0% |
| 2018 | −6.2% | −5.9% |
| 2017 | +11.9% | +16.4% |
| 2016 | +22.4% | +17.0% |
| 2015 | +5.1% | +0.3% |
| 2014 | +20.0% | +13.5% |
| 2013 | +20.8% | +30.1% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
1 of the top ten overlap, at least 2% of each fund.
SPHD
- PFE Pfizer Inc3.8%
- VZ Verizon Communications Inc3.1%
- CCI Crown Castle Inc2.9%
- MO Altria Group Inc2.9%
- KHC The Kraft Heinz Co2.9%
- GIS General Mills Inc2.8%
- VICI VICI Properties Inc Ordinary Shares2.8%
- CMCSA Comcast Corp Class A2.4%
- CVX Chevron Corp2.4%
- OKE ONEOK Inc2.3%
VYM
- AVGO Broadcom Inc6.9%
- JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co3.8%
- XOM ExxonMobil Holdings Corp2.8%
- JNJ Johnson & Johnson2.7%
- ABBV AbbVie Inc2.0%
- CSCO Cisco Systems Inc1.8%
- CVX Chevron Corp1.6%
- CAT Caterpillar Inc1.6%
- MRK Merck & Co Inc1.5%
- BAC Bank of America Corp1.5%
SPHD vs VYM: questions
Is SPHD or VYM better?
It depends on the job. SPHD pays more today (4.76% vs 2.31%), VYM costs less, and VYM has the better total return over Oct 2012 to Oct 2026, with VYM 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, SPHD or VYM?
SPHD, at 4.76% against 2.31% for VYM as of Nov 8, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $476 vs $231 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
VYM. From Oct 2012 to Oct 2026, it returned 12.2% a year with distributions reinvested, against 9.7% for SPHD. $10,000 became $50,227 vs $36,575.
Which is cheaper, SPHD or VYM?
VYM, with a 0.04% expense ratio against 0.30%.
Do SPHD and VYM hold the same things?
Partly. 1 of their top ten holdings match (CVX), at least 2% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. VYM leads on 7 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 8, 2026.