SDY vs SPHY: ETF Comparison
Compare SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) and SPHY (State Street SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond 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.*
SDY vs SPHY: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, SDY holds a clear edge over SPHY: +8.9% per year vs +4.9% per year — a gap of 4.0 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: SDY has been trading for 20.9 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 SDY's 2.6%. Higher yield often comes with trade-offs in price appreciation, which is exactly why total return is the fairer scoreboard.
SDY vs SPHY Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDY | SPDR S&P Dividend ETF | State Street | 11/8/2005 | 20.9y | +492.0% | +8.9% | 2.6% | 0.35% | A |
| 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 |
SDY vs SPHY — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, SDY or SPHY?
By average annual total return since inception, SDY holds a clear edge over SPHY (+8.9% 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 SDY and SPHY?
SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) is offered by State Street and currently yields 2.6%. SPHY (State Street SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) is offered by State Street and yields 7.54%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +8.9% and +4.9% respectively.
Does SDY pay a higher dividend than SPHY?
SDY currently yields 2.6% and SPHY yields 7.54%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.