Dividend comparison
VTSAX vs SPTM: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VTSAX vs SPTM: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 1.04% for VTSAX and 1.06% for SPTM. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SPTM returned 78.2% versus 70.6% for VTSAX, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $17,820 in SPTM and $17,064 in VTSAX.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -25.4% for VTSAX and -24.1% for SPTM from peak to trough.
- Diversification. SPTM holds 1,510 positions and VTSAX holds 100. The ten largest positions make up 34.6% of VTSAX and 35.8% of SPTM.
- Overlap. At least 66% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 97 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. VTSAX grew its yearly payout 6.4% a year over the last 4 years, versus 6.4% for SPTM.
Bottom line: SPTM has the edge on these figures, with stronger 5-year returns and broader diversification. VTSAX does not lead on any of the measures compared here.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | SPTM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 1.04% | 1.06% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $180.73 | $0.98 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.4605 on Sep 29, 2026 | $0.2502 on Sep 23, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 28, 2026 | Sep 21, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 6.4% over 4 yrs | 6.4% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $183.51 | $92.93 |
| Payout ratio (TTM) | 23.1% | — |
| Dividend growth streak | 5 years | 16 years |
| Beta | 1.02 | 1.01 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -25.4% | -24.1% |
| Market cap | $2.32T | $14.03B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | — | 0.03% |
| Assets under management | — | $14.09B |
| Number of holdings | 100 | 1510 |
| Top 10 concentration | 34.6% | 35.8% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VTSAX
$8.68/mo
$104 /yr at 1.04% yield
SPTM
$8.80/mo
$106 /yr at 1.06% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VTSAX pays quarterly; SPTM pays quarterly.
| Year | VTSAX | SPTM |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.8136 | $0.9340 |
| 2024 | $1.7760 | $0.9156 |
| 2023 | $1.6510 | $0.8394 |
| 2022 | $1.5400 | $0.7972 |
| 2021 | $1.4150 | $0.7290 |
Strategy: Broad index
Low-cost funds that hold an entire market or index at market-cap weights and make no attempt to select securities. Return is the index return less a small fee, and dividends are a by-product of what the underlying companies choose to pay rather than an objective of the strategy. Differences between funds tracking the same index usually come down to fee, wrapper structure, share price and trading liquidity, not to holdings.
Current income is low and outside your control, so these need pairing with something else if the portfolio has to produce cash today.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $17,064 in VTSAX and $17,820 in SPTM.
| Period | VTSAX | SPTM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 0.35% | 0.89% |
| 3 months | 2.69% | 3.38% |
| Year to date | 12.44% | 13.61% |
| 1 year | 13.92% | 15.71% |
| 3 years | 85.72% | 86.64% |
| 5 years | 70.64% | 78.20% |
- VTSAX
- SPTM
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.
- VTSAX
- SPTM
VTSAX vs SPTM holdings overlap
At least 66% overlap by weight, with 97 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 | VTSAX weight | SPTM weight |
|---|---|---|
| NVDANVIDIA Corp | 7.13% | 7.34% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 6.63% | 6.99% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.19% | 5.53% |
| AMZNAmazon.com Inc | 3.30% | 3.60% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 2.76% | 2.82% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.28% | 2.22% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 2.18% | 2.26% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.18% | 2.17% |
| MUMicron Technology Inc | 1.64% | 1.43% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.36% | 1.45% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
VTSAX100 holdings total
Quick verdict
SPTM has the edge on these figures, with stronger 5-year returns and broader diversification. VTSAX does not lead on any of the measures compared here. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is VTSAX or SPTM better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VTSAX currently yields 1.04% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SPTM yields 1.06%. 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 VTSAX and SPTM?
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) 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 has performed better, VTSAX or SPTM?
Over the last 5 years, SPTM has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VTSAX returned 70.6% and SPTM returned 78.2%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VTSAX or SPTM?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VTSAX has been riskier: VTSAX fell as much as 25.4% and SPTM as much as 24.1%. Their betas are 1.02 and 1.01.
How much do VTSAX and SPTM overlap?
At least 66% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 97 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are NVDA, AAPL, MSFT. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do VTSAX and SPTM pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.4605 for VTSAX and $0.2502 for SPTM.
How much income does $10,000 in VTSAX vs SPTM generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VTSAX would generate roughly $8.68 per month ($104 annually). The same amount in SPTM would produce about $8.80 per month ($106 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VTSAX and SPTM?
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 VTSAX vs SPTM with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VTSAX and SPTM 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.