Dividend comparison
MGK vs SPYG: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
MGK vs SPYG: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SPYG is cheaper at 0.04% a year versus 0.05% for MGK. On $10,000 that is $1 a year less in fees.
- Income. SPYG pays more income, yielding 0.48% over the last twelve months versus 0.33% for MGK. That is about $15 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, MGK returned 88.0% versus 86.3% for SPYG, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $18,798 in MGK and $18,633 in SPYG.
- Risk. MGK has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -36.0%, against -32.7% for SPYG.
- Diversification. SPYG holds 152 positions and MGK holds 69. The ten largest positions make up 64.5% of MGK and 60.2% of SPYG.
- Overlap. 73% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 47 shared holdings. Owning both adds little diversification.
- Dividend growth. MGK grew its yearly payout 7.7% a year over the last 4 years, versus 5.3% for SPYG.
Bottom line: MGK fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. SPYG fits better if you care most about smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. With 73% overlap, most investors would hold one or the other rather than both.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | MGK Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF | SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.33% | 0.48% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $0.30 | $0.59 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.0765 on Sep 30, 2026 | $0.1482 on Sep 23, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 28, 2026 | Sep 21, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 7.7% over 4 yrs | 5.3% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $90.83 | $121.15 |
| Dividend growth streak | — | 1 year |
| Beta | 1.27 | 1.18 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -36.0% | -32.7% |
| Market cap | $35.00B | $55.60B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Assets under management | $35.00B | $56.15B |
| Number of holdings | 69 | 152 |
| Top 10 concentration | 64.5% | 60.2% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
MGK
$2.78/mo
$33 /yr at 0.33% yield
SPYG
$4.03/mo
$48 /yr at 0.48% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. MGK pays quarterly; SPYG pays quarterly.
| Year | MGK | SPYG |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.2902 | $0.5519 |
| 2024 | $0.2951 | $0.5315 |
| 2023 | $0.2603 | $0.7493 |
| 2022 | $0.2400 | $0.5194 |
| 2021 | $0.2159 | $0.4482 |
Strategy: Large-cap growth
Funds that hold the faster-growing half of the large-cap market, selected by measures like earnings growth, sales growth and price momentum. In practice that means heavy weights in technology and communication companies, with the largest few names often making up a third of the fund or more. Dividends are small because growth companies reinvest their cash instead of paying it out.
Concentration in a handful of mega-cap stocks makes these funds swing harder than the broad market in both directions, and they offer little current income.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $18,798 in MGK and $18,633 in SPYG.
| Period | MGK | SPYG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 0.01% | -0.14% |
| 3 months | 4.69% | 4.05% |
| Year to date | 10.34% | 13.98% |
| 1 year | 11.89% | 15.83% |
| 3 years | 103.52% | 110.00% |
| 5 years | 87.98% | 86.33% |
- MGK
- SPYG
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.
- MGK
- SPYG
MGK vs SPYG holdings overlap
73% overlap by weight, with 47 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | MGK weight | SPYG weight |
|---|---|---|
| NVDANVIDIA Corp | 13.69% | 14.45% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 9.46% | 10.90% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 12.53% | 6.88% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 4.98% | 5.56% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.30% | 4.38% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.96% | 4.28% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.95% | 4.45% |
| AMZNAmazon.com Inc | 4.23% | 3.76% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co | 3.11% | 2.73% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.22% | 2.42% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
MGK69 holdings total
Quick verdict
MGK fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. SPYG fits better if you care most about smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. With 73% overlap, most investors would hold one or the other rather than both. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is MGK or SPYG better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. MGK currently yields 0.33% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SPYG yields 0.48%. 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 MGK and SPYG?
Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK) is an ETF listed on AMEX. State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) 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, MGK or SPYG?
SPYG has the lower expense ratio. MGK charges 0.05% a year and SPYG charges 0.04%, a difference of $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, MGK or SPYG?
Over the last 5 years, MGK has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: MGK returned 88.0% and SPYG returned 86.3%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, MGK or SPYG?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, MGK has been riskier: MGK fell as much as 36.0% and SPYG as much as 32.7%. Their betas are 1.27 and 1.18.
How much do MGK and SPYG overlap?
About 73% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 47 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are NVDA, MSFT, AAPL. Holding both adds little diversification.
How often do MGK and SPYG pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.0765 for MGK and $0.1482 for SPYG.
How much income does $10,000 in MGK vs SPYG generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in MGK would generate roughly $2.78 per month ($33 annually). The same amount in SPYG would produce about $4.03 per month ($48 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both MGK and SPYG?
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 MGK vs SPYG with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how MGK and SPYG 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.