GDV vs SPYM
Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust vs State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, GDV or SPYM?
SPYM has been ahead.
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. SPYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | GDV | SPYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.30% | 0.02%Best |
| AUM | $3.4B | $185.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.50% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 715 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +6.53% | +13.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.90% | +17.53%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.57% | +22.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.80% | +13.29%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.1% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,558 | $18,662Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 28, 2003 | Nov 8, 2005 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 18, 2014 to Oct 14, 2026 (12.7 years).
GDV vs SPYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 12.7 years both funds cover.
GDV vs SPYM Performance
Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust (GDV) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year GDV returned +11.90% while SPYM returned +17.53%. Year to date, GDV is up 6.53% versus a gain of 13.57% for SPYM.
Over three years, GDV compounded at +20.57% per year against +22.46% for SPYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.80% and +13.29% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SPYM has the edge at +12.62% annualized vs +4.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GDV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 14.7% for SPYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -58.1% for GDV and -34.3% for SPYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GDV charges 1.30% per year while SPYM charges 0.02%. On a $10,000 position that is $130 vs $2 annually, a gap of $128 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GDV currently yields 5.50% against 1.01% for SPYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 79.7% of SPYM's money is in holdings GDV also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for GDV, our book for it lists positions totalling 110.0% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
Most of SPYM is already inside GDV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 185 days apart, GDV as of Mar 31, 2026 and SPYM as of Oct 2, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
220 positions in common, counted across the 678 positions we hold weights for in GDV and 505 in SPYM, against full books of 715 and 509.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GDV | Weight in SPYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.32% | 8.49% | 7.17% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.97% | 7.30% | 6.33% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 1.41% | 5.76% | 4.35% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.87% | 3.70% | 2.83% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.67% | 2.42% | 0.75% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.42% | 1.32% | 1.10% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 0.27% | 3.02% | 2.75% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.71% | 2.41% | 1.70% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.59% | 2.53% | 1.94% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.40% | 0.67% | 1.73% |
79.7% of SPYM is already inside GDV.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GDV or SPYM?
GDV has an expense ratio of 1.30% while SPYM charges 0.02%. SPYM is the cheaper option, by $128 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GDV or SPYM?
Over the past year GDV returned +11.90% vs +17.53% for SPYM, so SPYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), GDV annualized +4.90% vs +12.62% for SPYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GDV or SPYM?
GDV has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 14.7% for SPYM. Worst drawdown: GDV -58.1% vs SPYM -34.3%.
Should I hold both GDV and SPYM?
GDV and SPYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between GDV and SPYM?
At least 79.7% of SPYM's money is in holdings GDV also owns. Our book for GDV is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 220 positions in common, counted across the 678 positions we hold weights for in GDV and 505 in SPYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GDV or SPYM?
GDV yields 5.50% while SPYM yields 1.01%, so GDV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPYM better than GDV?
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. SPYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.