SPYM vs VFIAX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, SPYM yields more: 1.04% (dividend yield) against 0.79% for VFIAX. SPYM is cheaper to own at 0.02% a year vs 0.04%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), SPYM returned 11.2% a year with distributions reinvested, and VFIAX 11.1%.
| Compared | SPYM | VFIAX |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.04% | 0.79% |
| Expense ratio | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +12.1% | +11.8% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +23.4% | +23.2% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +12.1% | +12.0% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +15.4% | +15.4% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -47.7% | -48.4% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | +428% | +418% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard |
| Assets | $181.8B | $1.7T |
| Started | 2005 | 2010 |
| Type | Large Blend | Large Blend |
Higher yield
SPYM
1.04%
Lower cost
SPYM
0.02%
Better total return
SPYM
11.2%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SPYM
-47.7%
Key facts: SPYM vs VFIAX
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, SPYM yields 1.04% (dividend yield) and VFIAX yields 0.79% (dividend yield).
- SPYM's expense ratio is 0.02% and VFIAX's is 0.04%: $2 vs $4 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in SPYM grew to $73,879 (11.2% a year) and $10,000 in VFIAX to $73,212 (11.1% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -47.7% for SPYM and -48.4% for VFIAX.
- 9 of SPYM's top ten holdings are also in VFIAX's top ten, an overlap of at least 35% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "SPYM vs VFIAX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/spym-vs-vfiax
$10,000 in each, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
SPYM became
$73,879
11.2% a year
VFIAX became
$73,212
11.1% a year
Year by year
| Year | SPYM | VFIAX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +17.8% | +17.8% |
| 2024 | +25.0% | +25.0% |
| 2023 | +26.2% | +26.2% |
| 2022 | −18.1% | −18.2% |
| 2021 | +28.8% | +28.7% |
| 2020 | +18.5% | +18.3% |
| 2019 | +31.9% | +31.5% |
| 2018 | −4.8% | −4.5% |
| 2017 | +21.4% | +21.8% |
| 2016 | +11.8% | +11.9% |
| 2015 | +1.2% | +1.3% |
| 2014 | +13.7% | +13.7% |
| 2013 | +33.2% | +32.3% |
| 2012 | +15.1% | +16.0% |
| 2011 | +1.7% | +2.1% |
| 2010 | +15.8% | +15.0% |
| 2009 | +27.4% | +26.7% |
| 2008 | −37.0% | −37.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
9 of the top ten overlap, at least 35% of each fund.
SPYM
- AAPL Apple Inc7.7%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.6%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp5.9%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.6%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.5%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.4%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.1%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C2.0%
- LLY Eli Lilly and Co1.7%
- TSLA Tesla Inc1.7%
VFIAX
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp8.4%
- AAPL Apple Inc7.4%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp5.8%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.7%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A3.1%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.5%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C2.5%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.4%
- MU Micron Technology Inc1.8%
- TSLA Tesla Inc1.5%
SPYM vs VFIAX: questions
Is SPYM or VFIAX better?
It depends on the job. SPYM pays more today (1.04% vs 0.79%), SPYM costs less, and SPYM has the better total return over Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, with SPYM 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, SPYM or VFIAX?
SPYM, at 1.04% against 0.79% for VFIAX as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $104 vs $79 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SPYM. From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 11.2% a year with distributions reinvested, against 11.1% for VFIAX. $10,000 became $73,879 vs $73,212.
Which is cheaper, SPYM or VFIAX?
SPYM, with a 0.02% expense ratio against 0.04%.
Do SPYM and VFIAX hold the same things?
Partly. 9 of their top ten holdings match (NVDA, AAPL, MSFT, AMZN), at least 35% 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. SPYM leads on 8 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.