SDY vs. DTD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) and DTD (WisdomTree U.S. Total Dividend Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SDY is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index, while DTD is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SDY returned 9.29%/yr vs 12.18%/yr for DTD. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SDY charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for DTD.

Performance

SDY vs. DTD - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDY achieves a 7.49% return, which is significantly lower than DTD's 10.02% return. Over the past 10 years, SDY has underperformed DTD with an annualized return of 9.29%, while DTD has yielded a comparatively higher 12.18% annualized return.

SDY

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: 7.49%
• 6M: 7.45%
• 1Y: 12.80%
• 3Y*: 9.83%
• 5Y*: 5.97%
• 10Y*: 9.29%

DTD

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 2.79%
• YTD: 10.02%
• 6M: 9.93%
• 1Y: 21.95%
• 3Y*: 17.94%
• 5Y*: 11.75%
• 10Y*: 12.18%

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

SDY vs. DTD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	7.49%	8.18%	8.45%	2.61%	-0.54%	25.32%	1.71%	23.29%	-2.74%	15.82%
DTD WisdomTree U.S. Total Dividend Fund	10.02%	14.25%	18.56%	10.63%	-3.83%	26.26%	2.45%	28.19%	-6.47%	17.35%

Correlation

The correlation between SDY and DTD is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2006	0.92

The correlation between SDY and DTD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDY vs. DTD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDY	DTD
Industrials	17.5%	8.6%
Consumer Defensive	17.1%	8.7%
Utilities	14.8%	5.9%
Financial Services	11.5%	18.8%
Technology	8.7%	18.5%
Basic Materials	6.4%	1.5%
Healthcare	6.2%	11.5%
Consumer Cyclical	5.2%	5.6%
Real Estate	4.6%	5.2%
Energy	4.6%	8.4%
Communication Services	3.5%	7.4%

Return for Risk

SDY vs. DTD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDY

SDY Risk / Return Rank: 33
SDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
SDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
SDY Omega Ratio Rank: 31
SDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
SDY Martin Ratio Rank: 31

DTD

DTD Risk / Return Rank: 72
DTD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DTD Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
DTD Omega Ratio Rank: 71
DTD Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
DTD Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

SDY vs. DTD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) and WisdomTree U.S. Total Dividend Fund (DTD). 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.

	SDY	DTD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	2.37	-1.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.92	3.38	-1.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.43	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.68	3.50	-1.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.60	14.51	-9.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SDY vs. DTD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDY Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is lower than the DTD Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDY and DTD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SDY	DTD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	2.37	-1.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.87	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.75	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.53	-0.06

Drawdowns

SDY vs. DTD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDY drawdown since its inception was -54.75%, smaller than the maximum DTD drawdown of -58.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDY and DTD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDY	DTD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.75%	-58.19%	+3.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.67%	-6.30%	-1.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.39%	-14.41%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.21%	-16.14%	+0.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.70%	-37.29%	+0.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.07%	-0.48%	-3.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.21%	-7.34%	+1.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.79%	1.52%	+1.27%

Volatility

SDY vs. DTD - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) has a higher volatility of 2.47% compared to WisdomTree U.S. Total Dividend Fund (DTD) at 2.13%. This indicates that SDY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DTD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDY	DTD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.47%	2.13%	+0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.43%	6.98%	+0.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.33%	9.29%	+1.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.03%	13.57%	+0.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.08%	16.21%	+0.87%

SDY vs. DTD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDY has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than DTD's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDY vs. DTD - Dividend Comparison

SDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.48%, more than DTD's 1.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DTD WisdomTree U.S. Total Dividend Fund	1.87%	1.99%	2.07%	2.43%	2.62%	2.04%	2.73%	2.50%	2.93%	2.36%	2.66%	2.81%
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	2.48%	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 SDY and DTD in my portfolio?

SDY and DTD have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDY or DTD?

SDY has higher volatility (2.47%) compared to DTD (2.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDY dropped -54.75% vs DTD's -58.19%.

Which ETF is better, SDY or DTD?

On 10-year performance, DTD leads with 12.18% vs 9.29% for SDY. On fees, DTD is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, DTD has been the lower-risk option at 2.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDY or DTD?

Over the 10-year period, DTD has performed better with a 12.18% return vs 9.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDY or DTD?

DTD is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SDY.

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

SDY has the higher dividend yield at 2.48%, compared with 1.87% for DTD.

What is the main difference between SDY and DTD?

SDY is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while DTD is Large Cap Value Equities. SDY tracks S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index, while DTD tracks WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SDY and 0.28% for DTD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DTD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.25), 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.