VOE vs. SDY

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VOE (Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF) and SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds - VOE tracks the CRSP US Mid Cap Value Index while SDY tracks the S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOE returned 10.58%/yr vs 9.30%/yr for SDY. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VOE charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SDY.

Performance

VOE vs. SDY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOE achieves a 11.76% return, which is significantly higher than SDY's 8.02% return. Over the past 10 years, VOE has outperformed SDY with an annualized return of 10.58%, while SDY has yielded a comparatively lower 9.30% annualized return.

VOE

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 1.77%
• YTD: 11.76%
• 6M: 12.39%
• 1Y: 24.53%
• 3Y*: 17.01%
• 5Y*: 8.65%
• 10Y*: 10.58%

SDY

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 0.62%
• YTD: 8.02%
• 6M: 8.07%
• 1Y: 13.93%
• 3Y*: 10.34%
• 5Y*: 6.08%
• 10Y*: 9.30%

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

VOE vs. SDY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOE Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF	11.76%	12.08%	14.00%	9.85%	-7.97%	28.78%	2.65%	27.85%	-12.48%	17.07%
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	8.02%	8.18%	8.45%	2.61%	-0.54%	25.32%	1.71%	23.29%	-2.74%	15.82%

Correlation

The correlation between VOE and SDY is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 28, 2006	0.92

The correlation between VOE and SDY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

VOE vs. SDY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOE	SDY
Financial Services	16.5%	11.5%
Industrials	14.0%	17.5%
Energy	12.8%	4.6%
Utilities	12.1%	14.8%
Technology	10.9%	8.7%
Consumer Defensive	7.9%	17.1%
Healthcare	6.3%	6.2%
Real Estate	6.0%	4.6%
Basic Materials	5.8%	6.4%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	5.2%
Communication Services	2.2%	3.5%

Return for Risk

VOE vs. SDY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOE

VOE Risk / Return Rank: 69
VOE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
VOE Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VOE Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VOE Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VOE Martin Ratio Rank: 73

SDY

SDY Risk / Return Rank: 38
SDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SDY Omega Ratio Rank: 36
SDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
SDY Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

VOE vs. SDY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY). 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.

	VOE	SDY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	1.36	+0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	2.08	+1.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.23	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.56	1.82	+1.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.50	4.99	+8.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOE vs. SDY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOE Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the SDY Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOE and SDY, 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

	VOE	SDY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	1.36	+0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.44	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.55	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.47	-0.03

Drawdowns

VOE vs. SDY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOE drawdown since its inception was -61.50%, which is greater than SDY's maximum drawdown of -54.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOE and SDY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOE	SDY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.50%	-54.75%	-6.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.93%	-7.67%	+0.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.45%	-14.39%	-4.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.70%	-15.21%	-4.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.18%	-36.70%	-6.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.60%	+3.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.35%	-6.21%	-2.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.82%	2.80%	-0.98%

Volatility

VOE vs. SDY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) has a higher volatility of 2.68% compared to SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) at 2.43%. This indicates that VOE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SDY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOE	SDY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.68%	2.43%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.16%	7.43%	+0.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.48%	10.33%	+1.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.04%	14.03%	+2.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.83%	17.08%	+1.75%

VOE vs. SDY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOE has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than SDY's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOE vs. SDY - Dividend Comparison

VOE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.86%, less than SDY's 2.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	2.47%	2.61%	2.56%	2.64%	2.55%	2.63%	2.85%	2.45%	2.73%	4.69%	3.30%	6.20%
VOE Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF	1.86%	2.10%	2.11%	2.27%	2.27%	1.78%	2.36%	2.05%	2.75%	1.86%	1.92%	2.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOE and SDY in my portfolio?

VOE and SDY have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOE or SDY?

VOE has higher volatility (2.68%) compared to SDY (2.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOE dropped -61.50% vs SDY's -54.75%.

Which ETF is better, VOE or SDY?

On 10-year performance, VOE leads with 10.58% vs 9.30% for SDY. On fees, VOE is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, SDY has been the lower-risk option at 2.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOE or SDY?

Over the 10-year period, VOE has performed better with a 10.58% return vs 9.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOE or SDY?

VOE is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SDY.

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

SDY has the higher dividend yield at 2.47%, compared with 1.86% for VOE.

What is the main difference between VOE and SDY?

VOE tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Value Index, while SDY tracks S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VOE and 0.35% for SDY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.36), 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.