SmarterDividends

SPYM vs VTI: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 5, 2026, VTI yields more: 1.08% (dividend yield) against 1.04% for SPYM. SPYM is cheaper to own at 0.02% a year vs 0.03%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), SPYM returned 11.2% a year with distributions reinvested, and VTI 11.0%.

ComparedSPYMVTI
YieldDividend yield1.04%1.08%
Expense ratio0.02%0.03%
Total return, 1 yr+12.1%+12.0%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+23.4%+23.1%
Total return, 5 yr (a year)+12.1%+10.9%
Total return, 10 yr (a year)+15.4%+14.9%
Worst drop since Dec 2007-47.7%-48.2%
Share price since Dec 2007+428%+412%
PaysQuarterlyQuarterly
IssuerState Street Investment ManagementVanguard
Assets$181.8B$2.3T
Started20052001
TypeLarge BlendLarge Blend

Higher yield

VTI

1.08%

Lower cost

SPYM

0.02%

Better total return

SPYM

11.2%/yr

Smaller worst drop

SPYM

-47.7%

Key facts: SPYM vs VTI

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 5, 2026, SPYM yields 1.04% (dividend yield) and VTI yields 1.08% (dividend yield).
  • SPYM's expense ratio is 0.02% and VTI's is 0.03%: $2 vs $3 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 VTI to $71,593 (11.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: -47.7% for SPYM and -48.2% for VTI.
  • 9 of SPYM's top ten holdings are also in VTI's top ten, an overlap of at least 33% of the fund.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "SPYM vs VTI: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/spym-vs-vti

$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

VTI became

$71,593

11.0% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Year by year

YearSPYMVTI
2025+17.8%+17.1%
2024+25.0%+23.8%
2023+26.2%+26.0%
2022−18.1%−19.5%
2021+28.8%+25.7%
2020+18.5%+21.1%
2019+31.9%+30.7%
2018−4.8%−5.2%
2017+21.4%+21.2%
2016+11.8%+12.8%
2015+1.2%+0.4%
2014+13.7%+12.5%
2013+33.2%+33.4%
2012+15.1%+16.4%
2011+1.7%+1.0%
2010+15.8%+17.4%
2009+27.4%+28.9%
2008−37.0%−37.0%

Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.

Top holdings

9 of the top ten overlap, at least 33% of each fund.

SPYM

  1. AAPL Apple Inc7.7%
  2. NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.6%
  3. MSFT Microsoft Corp5.9%
  4. AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.6%
  5. GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.5%
  6. AVGO Broadcom Inc2.4%
  7. META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.1%
  8. GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C2.0%
  9. LLY Eli Lilly and Co1.7%
  10. TSLA Tesla Inc1.7%

VTI

  1. NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.1%
  2. AAPL Apple Inc6.6%
  3. MSFT Microsoft Corp5.2%
  4. AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.3%
  5. GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.8%
  6. AVGO Broadcom Inc2.3%
  7. META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.2%
  8. GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C2.2%
  9. MU Micron Technology Inc1.6%
  10. TSLA Tesla Inc1.4%

SPYM vs VTI: questions

Is SPYM or VTI better?

It depends on the job. VTI pays more today (1.08% vs 1.04%), 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 VTI?

VTI, at 1.08% against 1.04% for SPYM as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $108 vs $104 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 11.0% for VTI. $10,000 became $73,879 vs $71,593.

Which is cheaper, SPYM or VTI?

SPYM, with a 0.02% expense ratio against 0.03%.

Do SPYM and VTI hold the same things?

Partly. 9 of their top ten holdings match (NVDA, AAPL, MSFT, AMZN), at least 33% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.

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 7 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.