IVOV vs. SDY

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

IVOV (Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF) and SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds - IVOV tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Value Index while SDY tracks the S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IVOV returned 10.38%/yr vs 9.25%/yr for SDY. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IVOV charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SDY.

Performance

IVOV vs. SDY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (IVOV) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IVOV having a 12.05% return and SDY slightly higher at 12.48%. Over the past 10 years, IVOV has outperformed SDY with an annualized return of 10.38%, while SDY has yielded a comparatively lower 9.25% annualized return.

IVOV

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.08%
• 6M: 7.21%
• YTD: 12.05%
• 1Y: 16.94%
• 3Y*: 12.31%
• 5Y*: 9.17%
• 10Y*: 10.38%

SDY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 1.91%
• 6M: 8.80%
• YTD: 12.48%
• 1Y: 14.31%
• 3Y*: 10.80%
• 5Y*: 7.58%
• 10Y*: 9.25%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IVOV vs. SDY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IVOV Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF	12.05%	7.61%	11.53%	15.38%	-7.20%	30.50%	3.70%	25.91%	-12.13%	12.22%
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	12.48%	8.18%	8.45%	2.61%	-0.54%	25.32%	1.71%	23.29%	-2.74%	15.82%

Correlation

The correlation between IVOV and SDY is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010	0.83

The correlation between IVOV and SDY shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.88 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IVOV vs. SDY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IVOV	SDY
Financial Services	21.0%	11.9%
Industrials	17.1%	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	13.7%	5.9%
Technology	10.0%	11.8%
Real Estate	9.5%	4.4%
Basic Materials	7.9%	5.9%
Energy	7.3%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	16.1%
Utilities	4.0%	14.0%
Healthcare	3.8%	7.4%
Communication Services	0.5%	2.5%

Return for Risk

IVOV vs. SDY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IVOV

IVOV Risk / Return Rank: 40
IVOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
IVOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
IVOV Omega Ratio Rank: 37
IVOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
IVOV Martin Ratio Rank: 43

SDY

SDY Risk / Return Rank: 47
SDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
SDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
SDY Omega Ratio Rank: 46
SDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
SDY Martin Ratio Rank: 40

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

IVOV vs. SDY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (IVOV) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	IVOV	SDY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.12	1.37	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.74	2.10	-0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.24	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.61	1.87	-0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.54	5.03	+0.51

IVOV vs. SDY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IVOV Sharpe Ratio is 1.12, which is comparable to the SDY Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IVOV and SDY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IVOV vs. SDY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IVOV drawdown since its inception was -45.99%, smaller than the maximum SDY drawdown of -54.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVOV and SDY.

Drawdown Indicators

	IVOV	SDY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.99%	-54.75%	+8.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.58%	-7.67%	-2.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.61%	-14.39%	-8.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.61%	-15.21%	-7.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.99%	-36.70%	-9.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-0.71%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.40%	-6.18%	+0.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.06%	2.85%	+0.21%

Volatility

IVOV vs. SDY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (IVOV) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) have volatilities of 3.59% and 3.47%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IVOV	SDY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.59%	3.47%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.49%	7.60%	+2.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.16%	10.48%	+4.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.35%	13.99%	+5.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.65%	17.06%	+4.59%

IVOV vs. SDY - Expense Ratio Comparison

IVOV has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than SDY's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

IVOV vs. SDY - Dividend Comparison

IVOV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.63%, less than SDY's 2.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IVOV Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF	1.63%	1.82%	1.74%	1.52%	1.97%	1.78%	2.42%	1.75%	1.87%	1.55%	1.51%	1.66%
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	2.41%	2.61%	2.56%	2.64%	2.55%	2.63%	2.85%	2.45%	2.73%	4.69%	3.30%	6.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IVOV and SDY in my portfolio?

IVOV and SDY have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IVOV or SDY?

IVOV has higher volatility (3.59%) compared to SDY (3.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVOV dropped -45.99% vs SDY's -54.75%.

Which ETF is better, IVOV or SDY?

On 10-year performance, IVOV leads with 10.38% vs 9.25% for SDY. On fees, IVOV is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, SDY has been the lower-risk option at 3.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IVOV or SDY?

Over the 10-year period, IVOV has performed better with a 10.38% return vs 9.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IVOV or SDY?

IVOV is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SDY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IVOV or SDY?

SDY has the higher dividend yield at 2.41%, compared with 1.63% for IVOV.

What is the main difference between IVOV and SDY?

IVOV tracks S&P MidCap 400 Value Index, while SDY tracks S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for IVOV and 0.35% for SDY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.37 vs 1.12), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.