SPYD vs. VIGI

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

SPYD (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF) and VIGI (Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPYD is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 High Dividend Index, while VIGI is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P Global Ex-U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPYD returned 8.93%/yr vs 8.21%/yr for VIGI. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPYD charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for VIGI.

Performance

SPYD vs. VIGI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPYD achieves a 13.54% return, which is significantly higher than VIGI's 3.33% return. Over the past 10 years, SPYD has outperformed VIGI with an annualized return of 8.93%, while VIGI has yielded a comparatively lower 8.21% annualized return.

SPYD

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 3.85%
• YTD: 13.54%
• 6M: 13.00%
• 1Y: 18.75%
• 3Y*: 14.65%
• 5Y*: 7.42%
• 10Y*: 8.93%

VIGI

• 1D: 1.67%
• 1M: 1.11%
• YTD: 3.33%
• 6M: 3.83%
• 1Y: 6.32%
• 3Y*: 9.88%
• 5Y*: 4.32%
• 10Y*: 8.21%

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

SPYD vs. VIGI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPYD State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF	13.54%	4.65%	15.34%	3.91%	-1.17%	32.73%	-11.64%	21.20%	-4.89%	12.67%
VIGI Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF	3.33%	16.88%	2.73%	16.30%	-16.79%	12.51%	14.66%	27.53%	-11.50%	27.97%

Correlation

The correlation between SPYD and VIGI is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2016	0.59

The correlation between SPYD and VIGI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPYD vs. VIGI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPYD	VIGI
Real Estate	25.8%	1.3%
Consumer Defensive	16.3%	9.7%
Financial Services	12.1%	29.0%
Utilities	11.4%	4.8%
Energy	9.2%	2.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.5%	3.1%
Healthcare	5.2%	14.6%
Communication Services	5.1%	1.3%
Basic Materials	3.4%	4.1%
Technology	2.7%	11.5%
Industrials	2.3%	17.1%

Return for Risk

SPYD vs. VIGI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPYD

SPYD Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPYD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPYD Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SPYD Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SPYD Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
SPYD Martin Ratio Rank: 54

VIGI

VIGI Risk / Return Rank: 19
VIGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
VIGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
VIGI Omega Ratio Rank: 18
VIGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VIGI Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

SPYD vs. VIGI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) and Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI). 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.

	SPYD	VIGI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	0.48	+1.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	0.77	+1.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.09	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.67	0.60	+2.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.75	2.08	+5.67

SPYD vs. VIGI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPYD Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is higher than the VIGI Sharpe Ratio of 0.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPYD and VIGI, 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

SPYD vs. VIGI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPYD drawdown since its inception was -46.42%, which is greater than VIGI's maximum drawdown of -31.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPYD and VIGI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPYD	VIGI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.42%	-31.01%	-15.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.05%	-10.64%	+3.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.13%	-14.50%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.25%	-28.80%	+6.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.42%	-31.01%	-15.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.81%	+1.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.15%	-6.17%	+0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	3.04%	-0.62%

Volatility

SPYD vs. VIGI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) is 2.86%, while Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI) has a volatility of 3.34%. This indicates that SPYD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIGI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPYD	VIGI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.86%	3.34%	-0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.78%	10.45%	-2.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.66%	13.20%	-1.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.15%	14.47%	+1.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.77%	15.88%	+3.89%

SPYD vs. VIGI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPYD has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VIGI's 0.15% 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

SPYD vs. VIGI - Dividend Comparison

SPYD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.09%, more than VIGI's 2.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPYD State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF	4.09%	4.52%	4.31%	4.66%	5.01%	3.68%	4.95%	4.42%	4.75%	4.63%	4.34%	1.13%
VIGI Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF	2.13%	2.14%	1.93%	1.92%	2.06%	7.02%	1.29%	1.83%	1.99%	1.75%	1.05%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPYD and VIGI in my portfolio?

SPYD and VIGI have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPYD or VIGI?

VIGI has higher volatility (3.34%) compared to SPYD (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPYD dropped -46.42% vs VIGI's -31.01%.

Which ETF is better, SPYD or VIGI?

On 10-year performance, SPYD leads with 8.93% vs 8.21% for VIGI. On fees, SPYD is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, SPYD has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPYD or VIGI?

Over the 10-year period, SPYD has performed better with a 8.93% return vs 8.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPYD or VIGI?

SPYD is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for VIGI.

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

SPYD has the higher dividend yield at 4.09%, compared with 2.13% for VIGI.

What is the main difference between SPYD and VIGI?

SPYD is categorized as S&P 500, while VIGI is Dividend. SPYD tracks S&P 500 High Dividend Index, while VIGI tracks S&P Global Ex-U.S. Dividend Growers Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for SPYD and 0.15% for VIGI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 0.48), 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.