Dividend comparison
DVY vs SDY: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Select Dividend ETF and State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
DVY vs SDY: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SDY is cheaper at 0.35% a year versus 0.38% for DVY. On $10,000 that is $3 a year less in fees.
- Income. DVY pays more income, yielding 3.35% over the last twelve months versus 2.42% for SDY. That is about $93 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, DVY returned 53.0% versus 40.4% for SDY, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $15,298 in DVY and $14,037 in SDY.
- Risk. DVY has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -17.5%, against -15.2% for SDY.
- Diversification. SDY holds 155 positions and DVY holds 98.
- Dividend growth. DVY grew its yearly payout 7.7% a year over the last 4 years, versus 1.7% for SDY.
Bottom line: DVY fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. SDY fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | DVY iShares Select Dividend ETF | SDY State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 3.35% | 2.42% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $5.34 | $3.78 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $1.3291 on Sep 18, 2026 | $0.9168 on Sep 23, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 15, 2026 | Sep 21, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 7.7% over 4 yrs | 1.7% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $159.53 | $156.10 |
| Dividend growth streak | 5 years | 3 years |
| Beta | 0.57 | 0.58 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -17.5% | -15.2% |
| Market cap | $23.21B | $21.52B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.38% | 0.35% |
| Assets under management | $22.94B | $21.52B |
| Number of holdings | 98 | 155 |
| Top 10 concentration | — | 20.7% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
DVY
$27.90/mo
$335 /yr at 3.35% yield
SDY
$20.16/mo
$242 /yr at 2.42% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. DVY pays quarterly; SDY pays quarterly.
| Year | DVY | SDY |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5.1455 | $3.6342 |
| 2024 | $4.7940 | $3.3824 |
| 2023 | $4.4756 | $3.2981 |
| 2022 | $4.1413 | $3.1952 |
| 2021 | $3.8238 | $3.3913 |
Strategy: Dividend equity
Rules-based equity funds that screen for companies paying sustainable or rising dividends, aiming at income plus long-term share-price participation. The screen is what defines the fund: yield-ranked indexes deliver more cash now, dividend-growth indexes deliberately exclude the highest payers in favor of durability. Both approaches produce a sector mix that looks nothing like the broad market, typically heavier in financials, healthcare, staples and industrials.
Expect stretches of underperformance versus the broad market whenever leadership comes from the high-growth, low-yield companies these screens exclude.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $15,298 in DVY and $14,037 in SDY.
| Period | DVY | SDY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 0.82% | 4.16% |
| 3 months | -1.42% | 0.83% |
| Year to date | 13.03% | 12.17% |
| 1 year | 12.92% | 11.40% |
| 3 years | 64.02% | 47.14% |
| 5 years | 52.98% | 40.37% |
- DVY
- SDY
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- DVY
- SDY
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
Quick verdict
DVY fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. SDY fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how DVY vs SDY fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is DVY or SDY better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. DVY currently yields 3.35% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SDY yields 2.42%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between DVY and SDY?
iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, DVY or SDY?
SDY has the lower expense ratio. DVY charges 0.38% a year and SDY charges 0.35%, a difference of $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, DVY or SDY?
Over the last 5 years, DVY has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: DVY returned 53.0% and SDY returned 40.4%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, DVY or SDY?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, DVY has been riskier: DVY fell as much as 17.5% and SDY as much as 15.2%. Their betas are 0.57 and 0.58.
How often do DVY and SDY pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $1.3291 for DVY and $0.9168 for SDY.
How much income does $10,000 in DVY vs SDY generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in DVY would generate roughly $27.90 per month ($335 annually). The same amount in SDY would produce about $20.16 per month ($242 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both DVY and SDY?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare DVY vs SDY with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how DVY and SDY fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.