SPHD vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPHD (Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPHD is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P 500 Low Volatility High Dividend Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPHD returned 7.08%/yr vs 15.05%/yr for VTI. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPHD charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

SPHD vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (SPHD) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPHD achieves a 4.38% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 11.20% return. Over the past 10 years, SPHD has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 7.08%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.05% annualized return.

SPHD

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: -0.82%
• YTD: 4.38%
• 6M: 4.63%
• 1Y: 8.12%
• 3Y*: 11.42%
• 5Y*: 5.48%
• 10Y*: 7.08%

VTI

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 4.99%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 11.09%
• 1Y: 28.18%
• 3Y*: 22.07%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.05%

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

SPHD vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPHD Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF	4.38%	3.41%	18.08%	1.32%	0.58%	24.98%	-9.98%	20.26%	-6.17%	11.90%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.20%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between SPHD and VTI is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2012	0.68

Over the past year, the correlation between SPHD and VTI has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.68, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SPHD vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPHD	VTI
Real Estate	20.1%	2.4%
Consumer Defensive	17.8%	4.7%
Financial Services	15.6%	12.0%
Energy	14.1%	3.7%
Utilities	13.7%	2.3%
Communication Services	8.6%	10.3%
Healthcare	5.1%	9.2%
Consumer Cyclical	3.4%	10.0%
Technology	1.5%	33.5%
Industrials	0.0%	9.8%
Basic Materials	-	2.0%

Return for Risk

SPHD vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPHD

SPHD Risk / Return Rank: 21
SPHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
SPHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
SPHD Omega Ratio Rank: 19
SPHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
SPHD Martin Ratio Rank: 22

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTI 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.

SPHD vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (SPHD) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	SPHD	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.74	2.33	-1.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	3.18	-2.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.42	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.11	3.17	-2.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.78	14.62	-11.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPHD vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPHD Sharpe Ratio is 0.74, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPHD and VTI, 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

	SPHD	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74	2.33	-1.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.73	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	0.82	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.51	+0.07

Drawdowns

SPHD vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPHD drawdown since its inception was -41.39%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPHD and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPHD	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.39%	-55.45%	+14.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.33%	-8.92%	+1.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.29%	-19.30%	+6.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.50%	-25.36%	+5.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.39%	-35.00%	-6.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.37%	-0.72%	-4.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.70%	-8.03%	+3.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	1.93%	+1.00%

Volatility

SPHD vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (SPHD) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 2.99% and 2.96%, 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

	SPHD	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	2.96%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.55%	9.13%	-1.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.04%	12.17%	-1.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.16%	17.40%	-3.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.64%	18.30%	-0.66%

SPHD vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPHD has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPHD vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

SPHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.62%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPHD Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF	4.62%	4.02%	3.41%	4.48%	3.89%	3.45%	4.89%	4.07%	4.40%	3.14%	3.83%	3.49%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPHD and VTI in my portfolio?

SPHD and VTI have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPHD or VTI?

SPHD has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to VTI (2.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPHD dropped -41.39% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, SPHD or VTI?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.05% vs 7.08% for SPHD. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPHD or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.05% return vs 7.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPHD or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for SPHD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPHD or VTI?

SPHD has the higher dividend yield at 4.62%, compared with 1.01% for VTI.

What is the main difference between SPHD and VTI?

SPHD is categorized as Dividend, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. SPHD tracks S&P 500 Low Volatility High Dividend Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for SPHD and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 0.74), 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.