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SDY vs. VYM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SDY vs. VYM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SDY is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SDY returned 9.56%/yr vs 11.98%/yr for VYM. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SDY charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

SDY vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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 9.15% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 11.51% return. Over the past 10 years, SDY has underperformed VYM with an annualized return of 9.56%, while VYM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.98% annualized return.

SDY

1D
0.46%
1M
0.67%
YTD
9.15%
6M
8.72%
1Y
14.49%
3Y*
10.83%
5Y*
6.94%
10Y*
9.56%

VYM

1D
-0.16%
1M
0.26%
YTD
11.51%
6M
10.83%
1Y
24.08%
3Y*
18.41%
5Y*
11.88%
10Y*
11.98%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SDY vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SDY
SPDR S&P Dividend ETF		9.15%8.18%8.45%2.61%-0.54%25.32%1.71%23.29%-2.74%15.82%
VYM
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF		11.51%15.42%17.60%6.57%-0.43%26.20%1.15%24.06%-5.92%16.42%

Correlation

The correlation between SDY and VYM is 0.79, 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

0.79

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.87

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.90

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.91

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2006

0.93

The correlation between SDY and VYM shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.93 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SDY vs. VYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SDY
VYM

Industrials

17.1%
11.8%

Consumer Defensive

16.1%
8.0%

Utilities

14.0%
5.4%

Financial Services

11.9%
19.9%

Technology

11.8%
20.3%

Healthcare

7.4%
12.2%

Basic Materials

5.9%
3.4%

Consumer Cyclical

5.9%
6.6%

Real Estate

4.4%
0.0%

Energy

3.0%
9.1%

Communication Services

2.5%
3.4%

Industrials

SDY
17.1%
VYM
11.8%

Consumer Defensive

SDY
16.1%
VYM
8.0%

Utilities

SDY
14.0%
VYM
5.4%

Financial Services

SDY
11.9%
VYM
19.9%

Technology

SDY
11.8%
VYM
20.3%

Healthcare

SDY
7.4%
VYM
12.2%

Basic Materials

SDY
5.9%
VYM
3.4%

Consumer Cyclical

SDY
5.9%
VYM
6.6%

Real Estate

SDY
4.4%
VYM
0.0%

Energy

SDY
3.0%
VYM
9.1%

Communication Services

SDY
2.5%
VYM
3.4%

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

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF

Often compared with SDY:
SDY vs. SCHDSDY vs. NOBLSDY vs. SPYDSDY vs. SPYSDY vs. VIGSDY vs. VOOSDY vs. SYLD
Often compared with VYM:
VYM vs. SCHDVYM vs. VIGVYM vs. VYMIVYM vs. FDVVVYM vs. VOOVYM vs. VTIVYM vs. DGRO

Return for Risk

SDY vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SDY
SDY Risk / Return Rank: 3939
Overall Rank
SDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
SDY Omega Ratio Rank: 3838
Omega Ratio Rank
SDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 3939
Calmar Ratio Rank
SDY Martin Ratio Rank: 3535
Martin Ratio Rank
VYM
VYM Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 7979
Sortino Ratio Rank
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 7575
Omega Ratio Rank
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7373
Calmar Ratio Rank
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
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. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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.

SDYVYMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.40
2.33

-0.93

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.13
3.33

-1.20

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.24

1.42

-0.18

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.90

3.61

-1.72

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.10

13.43

-8.33

SDY vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDY Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDY and VYM, 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. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDY drawdown since its inception was -54.75%, roughly equal to the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDY and VYM.

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Drawdown Indicators

SDYVYMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-54.75%

-56.98%

+2.23%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.67%

-6.69%

-0.98%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.39%

-14.46%

+0.07%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.21%

-15.84%

+0.63%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.70%

-35.21%

-1.49%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.59%

-1.28%

-1.31%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.20%

-7.18%

+0.98%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.85%

1.80%

+1.05%

Volatility

SDY vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) have volatilities of 3.08% and 3.02%, 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.

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Volatility by Period

SDYVYMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.08%

3.02%

+0.06%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

7.55%

7.64%

-0.09%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.45%

10.39%

+0.06%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.99%

13.93%

+0.06%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.08%

16.32%

+0.76%

SDY vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDY has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDY vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

SDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, more than VYM's 2.30% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SDY
SPDR S&P Dividend ETF		2.49%2.61%2.56%2.64%2.55%2.63%2.85%2.45%2.73%4.69%3.30%6.20%
VYM
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF		2.30%2.44%2.74%3.12%3.01%2.76%3.18%3.03%3.40%2.80%2.91%3.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

SDY and VYM have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SDY has higher volatility (3.08%) compared to VYM (3.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDY dropped -54.75% vs VYM's -56.98%.

On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 11.98% vs 9.56% for SDY. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VYM has performed better with a 11.98% return vs 9.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SDY.

SDY has the higher dividend yield at 2.49%, compared with 2.30% for VYM.

SDY is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while VYM is Dividend. SDY tracks S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SDY and 0.04% for VYM.

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.40), 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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