SPHY vs VYM: ETF Comparison
Compare SPHY (State Street SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) side by side by average annual total return since inception — one fair number covering price and dividends.
Updated Sep 15, 2026
*For entertainment purposes ONLY! NOT financial advice! Data may be inaccurate.*
SPHY vs VYM: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, VYM holds a clear edge over SPHY: +9.3% per year vs +4.9% per year — a gap of 4.4 percentage points annually. Total return counts both price movement and dividends, so this is the whole picture of each fund's performance, not just yield.
Keep the track records in mind: VYM has been trading for 19.8 years, while SPHY has only 14.2 years of history. A shorter track record means the younger fund's average has been shaped by fewer market environments — one strong or weak stretch moves the needle more.
Income investors will notice the yield gap: SPHY currently yields 7.54% vs VYM's 2.5%. Higher yield often comes with trade-offs in price appreciation, which is exactly why total return is the fairer scoreboard.
SPHY vs VYM Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPHY | State Street SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF | State Street | 6/18/2012 | 14.2y | +97.0% | +4.9% | 7.54% | 0.05% | D |
| VYM | Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Vanguard | 11/10/2006 | 19.8y | +485.0% | +9.3% | 2.5% | 0.04% | A |
SPHY vs VYM — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, SPHY or VYM?
By average annual total return since inception, VYM holds a clear edge over SPHY (+9.3% vs +4.9% per year). "Better" depends on your goals — yield, payout frequency, and strategy differ between the two funds.
What is the difference between SPHY and VYM?
SPHY (State Street SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) is offered by State Street and currently yields 7.54%. VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) is offered by Vanguard and yields 2.5%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +4.9% and +9.3% respectively.
Does VYM pay a higher dividend than SPHY?
VYM currently yields 2.5% and SPHY yields 7.54%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.