SPDW vs. SPYD

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

SPDW (SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF) and SPYD (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPDW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index, while SPYD is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPDW returned 9.97%/yr vs 8.43%/yr for SPYD. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPDW charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for SPYD.

Performance

SPDW vs. SPYD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPDW achieves a 12.94% return, which is significantly lower than SPYD's 14.99% return. Over the past 10 years, SPDW has outperformed SPYD with an annualized return of 9.97%, while SPYD has yielded a comparatively lower 8.43% annualized return.

SPDW

• 1D: -1.65%
• 1M: -1.67%
• 6M: 8.66%
• YTD: 12.94%
• 1Y: 26.46%
• 3Y*: 17.64%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: 9.97%

SPYD

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 0.23%
• 6M: 12.52%
• YTD: 14.99%
• 1Y: 17.00%
• 3Y*: 13.74%
• 5Y*: 8.83%
• 10Y*: 8.43%

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

SPDW vs. SPYD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	12.94%	34.75%	3.55%	17.81%	-15.98%	11.45%	9.90%	22.41%	-14.22%	25.81%
SPYD State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF	14.99%	4.65%	15.34%	3.91%	-1.17%	32.73%	-11.64%	21.20%	-4.89%	12.67%

Correlation

The correlation between SPDW and SPYD is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2015	0.64

Over the past year, the correlation between SPDW and SPYD has dropped to 0.37 - well below their long-term average of 0.64, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SPDW vs. SPYD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPDW	SPYD
Financial Services	22.2%	11.9%
Industrials	18.4%	2.3%
Technology	16.8%	3.2%
Healthcare	7.9%	5.3%
Consumer Cyclical	7.8%	7.3%
Basic Materials	7.3%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	16.0%
Energy	4.9%	8.5%
Communication Services	3.9%	4.8%
Utilities	3.0%	11.2%
Real Estate	2.3%	26.5%

Return for Risk

SPDW vs. SPYD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPDW

SPDW Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SPDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
SPDW Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SPDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SPDW Martin Ratio Rank: 62

SPYD

SPYD Risk / Return Rank: 54
SPYD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SPYD Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPYD Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SPYD Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPYD Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

SPDW vs. SPYD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD). 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.

	SPDW	SPYD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	1.44	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	2.15	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.25	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	2.42	-0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.78	6.96	+1.81

SPDW vs. SPYD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPDW Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is comparable to the SPYD Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPDW and SPYD, 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

SPDW vs. SPYD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPDW drawdown since its inception was -60.02%, which is greater than SPYD's maximum drawdown of -46.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPDW and SPYD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPDW	SPYD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.02%	-46.42%	-13.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.55%	-7.05%	-4.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.53%	-16.13%	+2.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.21%	-22.25%	-7.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.98%	-46.42%	+11.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.29%	0.00%	-3.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.85%	-6.12%	-6.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	2.45%	+0.57%

Volatility

SPDW vs. SPYD - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) has a higher volatility of 6.27% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) at 4.20%. This indicates that SPDW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPDW	SPYD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.27%	4.20%	+2.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.91%	8.12%	+6.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.91%	11.92%	+4.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.73%	16.03%	+0.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.09%	19.76%	-2.67%

SPDW vs. SPYD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPDW has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than SPYD's 0.07% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPDW vs. SPYD - Dividend Comparison

SPDW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.07%, less than SPYD's 4.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	3.07%	3.30%	3.19%	2.75%	3.12%	3.04%	1.87%	3.13%	3.08%	1.86%	3.11%	2.78%
SPYD State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF	4.17%	4.52%	4.31%	4.66%	5.01%	3.68%	4.95%	4.42%	4.75%	4.63%	4.34%	1.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPDW and SPYD in my portfolio?

SPDW and SPYD have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPDW or SPYD?

SPDW has higher volatility (6.27%) compared to SPYD (4.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPDW dropped -60.02% vs SPYD's -46.42%.

Which ETF is better, SPDW or SPYD?

On 10-year performance, SPDW leads with 9.97% vs 8.43% for SPYD. On fees, SPDW is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SPYD has been the lower-risk option at 4.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPDW or SPYD?

Over the 10-year period, SPDW has performed better with a 9.97% return vs 8.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPDW or SPYD?

SPDW is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for SPYD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPDW or SPYD?

SPYD has the higher dividend yield at 4.17%, compared with 3.07% for SPDW.

What is the main difference between SPDW and SPYD?

SPDW is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while SPYD is S&P 500. SPDW tracks S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index, while SPYD tracks S&P 500 High Dividend Index. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SPDW and 0.07% for SPYD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPDW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.44), 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.