PDI vs SDY: ETF Comparison
Compare PDI (PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund) and SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend 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.*
PDI vs SDY: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, PDI is virtually tied with SDY — +9.2% vs +8.9%. With a gap this small, the deciding factors are more likely to be yield, payout schedule, and how each strategy fits your goals than raw performance.
Keep the track records in mind: SDY has been trading for 20.9 years, while PDI has only 14.3 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: PDI currently yields 16.10% vs SDY's 2.6%. Higher yield often comes with trade-offs in price appreciation, which is exactly why total return is the fairer scoreboard.
PDI vs SDY Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDI | PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund | Pimco | 5/25/2012 | 14.3y | +252.0% | +9.2% | 16.10% | 1.10% | C |
| SDY | SPDR S&P Dividend ETF | State Street | 11/8/2005 | 20.9y | +492.0% | +8.9% | 2.6% | 0.35% | A |
PDI vs SDY — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, PDI or SDY?
By average annual total return since inception, PDI is virtually tied with SDY (+9.2% vs +8.9% per year). "Better" depends on your goals — yield, payout frequency, and strategy differ between the two funds.
What is the difference between PDI and SDY?
PDI (PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund) is offered by Pimco and currently yields 16.10%. SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) is offered by State Street and yields 2.6%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +9.2% and +8.9% respectively.
Does PDI pay a higher dividend than SDY?
PDI currently yields 16.10% and SDY yields 2.6%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.