SPYT vs VTI: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 6, 2026, SPYT yields more: 18.49% (dividend yield) against 1.10% for VTI. VTI is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.92%. Over the same 2 years (Mar 2024 to Oct 2026), VTI returned 16.2% a year with distributions reinvested, and SPYT 13.4%.
SPYTDefiance S&P 500 Target Income18.49%dividend yield
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF1.10%dividend yield| Compared | SPYT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 18.49% | 1.10% |
| Expense ratio | 0.92% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +10.5% | +12.0% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | — | +23.1% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | — | +10.9% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | — | +14.9% |
| Worst drop since Mar 2024 | -7.9% | -8.4% |
| Share price since Mar 2024 | −18% | +43% |
| Pays | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Defiance ETFs LLC | Vanguard |
| Assets | $168.7M | $2.3T |
| Started | 2024 | 2001 |
| Type | Large Blend | Large Blend |
Higher yield
SPYT
18.49%
Lower cost
VTI
0.03%
Better total return
VTI
16.2%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SPYT
-7.9%
Key facts: SPYT vs VTI
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 6, 2026, SPYT yields 18.49% (dividend yield) and VTI yields 1.10% (dividend yield).
- SPYT's expense ratio is 0.92% and VTI's is 0.03%: $92 vs $3 a year on $10,000.
- From Mar 2024 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in SPYT grew to $13,848 (13.4% a year) and $10,000 in VTI to $14,738 (16.2% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -7.9% for SPYT and -8.4% for VTI.
- 0 of SPYT's top ten holdings are also in VTI's top ten.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "SPYT vs VTI: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 6, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/spyt-vs-vti
$10,000 in each, Mar 2024 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
SPYT became
$13,848
13.4% a year
VTI became
$14,738
16.2% a year
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
SPYT
- IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF99.7%
- FGXXX First American Government Obligs X0.3%
VTI
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.1%
- AAPL Apple Inc6.6%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp5.2%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.3%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.8%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.3%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.2%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C2.2%
- MU Micron Technology Inc1.6%
- TSLA Tesla Inc1.4%
SPYT vs VTI: questions
Is SPYT or VTI better?
It depends on the job. SPYT pays more today (18.49% vs 1.10%), VTI costs less, and VTI has the better total return over Mar 2024 to Oct 2026, with SPYT 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, SPYT or VTI?
SPYT, at 18.49% against 1.10% for VTI as of Nov 6, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $1,849 vs $110 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
VTI. From Mar 2024 to Oct 2026, it returned 16.2% a year with distributions reinvested, against 13.4% for SPYT. $10,000 became $14,738 vs $13,848.
Which is cheaper, SPYT or VTI?
VTI, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.92%.
Do SPYT and VTI hold the same things?
Not at the top: none of their top ten holdings match.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. VTI leads on 3 of 5 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 6, 2026.