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SDY vs. DIV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SDY vs. DIV

Last updated Aug 6, 2026
Documentation

SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) and DIV (Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds - SDY tracks the S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index while DIV tracks the Indxx SuperDividend® U.S. Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SDY returned 9.43%/yr vs 4.24%/yr for DIV. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SDY charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for DIV.

Performance

SDY vs. DIV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) and Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF (DIV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDY achieves a 14.35% return, which is significantly lower than DIV's 17.76% return. Over the past 10 years, SDY has outperformed DIV with an annualized return of 9.43%, while DIV has yielded a comparatively lower 4.24% annualized return.

SDY

1D
-0.06%
1M
1.40%
6M
4.24%
YTD
14.35%
1Y
16.81%
3Y*
10.98%
5Y*
7.73%
10Y*
9.43%
ALL TIME*
9.07%

DIV

1D
-0.12%
1M
2.79%
6M
7.16%
YTD
17.76%
1Y
20.34%
3Y*
12.17%
5Y*
6.64%
10Y*
4.24%
ALL TIME*
4.94%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

DIV

Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF
$5.04M$4.08M$4.49M

SDY

SPDR S&P Dividend ETF
$32.37M$30.67M$33.82M

SDY vs. DIV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SDY
SPDR S&P Dividend ETF		14.35%8.18%8.45%2.61%-0.54%25.32%1.71%23.29%-2.74%15.82%
DIV
Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF		17.76%3.10%11.27%-1.73%-3.92%30.60%-22.85%14.50%-6.60%9.90%

Correlation

The correlation between SDY and DIV is 0.74, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.74

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.80

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.85

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.83

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 12, 2013

0.82

The correlation between SDY and DIV shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.85 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SDY vs. DIV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SDY
DIV

Industrials

17.5%
12.1%

Consumer Defensive

16.3%
10.8%

Utilities

14.2%
11.6%

Financial Services

12.6%
4.0%

Technology

10.3%

-

Healthcare

7.9%
3.3%

Consumer Cyclical

5.9%
4.0%

Basic Materials

5.8%
6.2%

Real Estate

4.4%
21.3%

Energy

2.8%
20.5%

Communication Services

2.2%
6.1%

Industrials

SDY
17.5%
DIV
12.1%

Consumer Defensive

SDY
16.3%
DIV
10.8%

Utilities

SDY
14.2%
DIV
11.6%

Financial Services

SDY
12.6%
DIV
4.0%

Technology

SDY
10.3%
DIV

-

Healthcare

SDY
7.9%
DIV
3.3%

Consumer Cyclical

SDY
5.9%
DIV
4.0%

Basic Materials

SDY
5.8%
DIV
6.2%

Real Estate

SDY
4.4%
DIV
21.3%

Energy

SDY
2.8%
DIV
20.5%

Communication Services

SDY
2.2%
DIV
6.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

SPDR S&P Dividend ETF

Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF

Often compared with SDY:
SDY vs. SCHDSDY vs. NOBLSDY vs. SPYDSDY vs. VYMSDY vs. SPYSDY vs. VIGSDY vs. VOO
Often compared with DIV:
DIV vs. DIVODIV vs. SCHDDIV vs. VOODIV vs. SPYDDIV vs. JEPIDIV vs. SPHDDIV vs. VYM

Return for Risk

SDY vs. DIV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
SDY
SDY Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
SDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5757
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 6464
Sortino Ratio Rank
SDY Omega Ratio Rank: 5353
Omega Ratio Rank
SDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5454
Calmar Ratio Rank
SDY Martin Ratio Rank: 4646
Martin Ratio Rank
DIV
DIV Risk / Return Rank: 7878
Overall Rank
DIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 7878
Sortino Ratio Rank
DIV Omega Ratio Rank: 7070
Omega Ratio Rank
DIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 8888
Calmar Ratio Rank
DIV Martin Ratio Rank: 7979
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SDY vs. DIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) and Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF (DIV). 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.

SDYDIVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.57
1.95

-0.38

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.41
2.84

-0.43

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.33

-0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.20

3.98

-1.78

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.92

11.55

-5.63

SDY vs. DIV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDY Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is comparable to the DIV Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDY and DIV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

SDY vs. DIV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDY drawdown since its inception was -54.75%, roughly equal to the maximum DIV drawdown of -52.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDY and DIV.

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Drawdown Indicators

SDYDIVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-54.75%

-52.74%

-2.01%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.67%

-5.13%

-2.54%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.39%

-12.33%

-2.06%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.21%

-21.14%

+5.93%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.70%

-52.74%

+16.04%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.98%

-1.96%

+0.98%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.17%

-6.95%

+0.78%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.85%

1.77%

+1.08%

Volatility

SDY vs. DIV - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) has a higher volatility of 4.13% compared to Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF (DIV) at 3.08%. This indicates that SDY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SDYDIVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.13%

3.08%

+1.05%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.12%

7.60%

+0.52%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.75%

10.49%

+0.26%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.01%

13.68%

+0.33%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.09%

17.99%

-0.90%

SDY vs. DIV - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDY has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than DIV's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDY vs. DIV - Dividend Comparison

SDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.37%, less than DIV's 6.56% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DIV
Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF		6.56%7.30%5.74%7.13%6.62%5.24%8.01%7.65%7.08%5.92%6.78%8.44%
SDY
SPDR S&P Dividend ETF		2.37%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

SDY and DIV have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SDY has higher volatility (4.13%) compared to DIV (3.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDY dropped -54.75% vs DIV's -52.74%.

On 10-year performance, SDY leads with 9.43% vs 4.24% for DIV. On fees, SDY is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, DIV has been the lower-risk option at 3.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, SDY has performed better with a 9.43% return vs 4.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SDY is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for DIV.

DIV has the higher dividend yield at 6.56%, compared with 2.37% for SDY.

SDY tracks S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index, while DIV tracks Indxx SuperDividend® U.S. Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SDY and 0.45% for DIV.

DIV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.57), 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.

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