SPYG vs VUG: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, SPYG yields more: 0.52% (dividend yield) against 0.42% for VUG. VUG is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.04%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), SPYG returned 13.0% a year with distributions reinvested, and VUG 12.8%.
| Compared | SPYG | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 0.52% | 0.42% |
| Expense ratio | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +8.3% | +2.7% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +27.1% | +24.6% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +11.6% | +10.8% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +17.5% | +17.6% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -45.3% | -45.4% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | +693% | +691% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard |
| Assets | $54.0B | $380.0B |
| Started | 2000 | 2004 |
| Type | Large Growth | Large Growth |
Higher yield
SPYG
0.52%
Lower cost
VUG
0.03%
Better total return
SPYG
13.0%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SPYG
-45.3%
Key facts: SPYG vs VUG
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, SPYG yields 0.52% (dividend yield) and VUG yields 0.42% (dividend yield).
- SPYG's expense ratio is 0.04% and VUG's is 0.03%: $4 vs $3 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in SPYG grew to $99,504 (13.0% a year) and $10,000 in VUG to $96,222 (12.8% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -45.3% for SPYG and -45.4% for VUG.
- 8 of SPYG's top ten holdings are also in VUG's top ten, an overlap of at least 51% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "SPYG vs VUG: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/spyg-vs-vug
$10,000 in each, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
SPYG became
$99,504
13.0% a year
VUG became
$96,222
12.8% a year
Year by year
| Year | SPYG | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +22.1% | +19.4% |
| 2024 | +36.0% | +32.7% |
| 2023 | +30.0% | +46.8% |
| 2022 | −29.4% | −33.1% |
| 2021 | +32.0% | +27.4% |
| 2020 | +33.4% | +40.2% |
| 2019 | +30.8% | +37.0% |
| 2018 | −0.1% | −3.3% |
| 2017 | +27.3% | +27.8% |
| 2016 | +6.9% | +6.2% |
| 2015 | +5.0% | +3.3% |
| 2014 | +14.8% | +13.6% |
| 2013 | +32.5% | +32.6% |
| 2012 | +14.3% | +17.1% |
| 2011 | +4.6% | +1.8% |
| 2010 | +16.3% | +17.1% |
| 2009 | +37.0% | +36.3% |
| 2008 | −37.4% | −38.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
8 of the top ten overlap, at least 51% of each fund.
SPYG
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp14.2%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp11.1%
- AAPL Apple Inc7.2%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A4.7%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc4.5%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A3.9%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C3.8%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.6%
- LLY Eli Lilly and Co3.3%
- BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc Class B2.9%
VUG
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp13.5%
- AAPL Apple Inc12.5%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp9.7%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A5.2%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc4.3%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc4.3%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A4.2%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C4.1%
- AMD Advanced Micro Devices Inc2.7%
- TSLA Tesla Inc2.7%
SPYG vs VUG: questions
Is SPYG or VUG better?
It depends on the job. SPYG pays more today (0.52% vs 0.42%), VUG costs less, and SPYG has the better total return over Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, with SPYG 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, SPYG or VUG?
SPYG, at 0.52% against 0.42% for VUG as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $52 vs $42 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SPYG. From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 13.0% a year with distributions reinvested, against 12.8% for VUG. $10,000 became $99,504 vs $96,222.
Which is cheaper, SPYG or VUG?
VUG, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.04%.
Do SPYG and VUG hold the same things?
Partly. 8 of their top ten holdings match (NVDA, MSFT, AAPL, GOOGL), at least 51% 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. SPYG leads on 6 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.