NDVG vs SPYM
Nuveen Dividend Growth ETF vs State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, NDVG or SPYM?
SPYM has been ahead.
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. SPYM led over 1Y and the full window. SPYM is less concentrated, with 39.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.3%.
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 | NDVG | SPYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.02%Best |
| AUM | $13M | $185.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.09% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 43 | 509 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.7%Best | -24.5% |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $14,252 | $16,029Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.3% | 39.0%Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 4, 2021 | Nov 8, 2005 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 191 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. NDVG has data through Apr 6, 2026 and SPYM through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 5, 2021 to Apr 6, 2026 (4.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 14.1% for NDVG. 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 -19.7% for NDVG and -24.5% 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NDVG charges 0.65% per year while SPYM charges 0.02%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $2 annually, a gap of $63 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NDVG currently yields 1.09% against 1.01% for SPYM.
Holdings Overlap
86.8% of NDVG's money is in holdings SPYM also owns. 27.1% of SPYM's money is in holdings NDVG also owns.
Most of NDVG is already inside SPYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 275 days apart, NDVG as of Dec 31, 2025 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.
36 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in NDVG and 505 in SPYM, against full books of 43 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 462 positions for SPYM that do not appear in our book for NDVG (72.1% of the fund), and 1 for NDVG that do not appear in SPYM (1.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NDVG | Weight in SPYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.70% | 7.30% | 0.60% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 7.90% | 5.76% | 2.14% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.85% | 2.53% | 3.32% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 4.24% | 1.32% | 2.92% |
| APHAmphenol Corp. Class A | 3.60% | 0.32% | 3.28% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.51% | 2.41% | 0.90% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 3.36% | 0.24% | 3.12% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.76% | 0.67% | 2.09% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 2.57% | 0.70% | 1.87% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 2.68% | 0.24% | 2.44% |
86.8% of NDVG is already inside SPYM.
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, NDVG or SPYM?
NDVG has an expense ratio of 0.65% while SPYM charges 0.02%. SPYM is the cheaper option, by $63 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, NDVG or SPYM?
SPYM has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 14.1% for NDVG. Worst drawdown: NDVG -19.7% vs SPYM -24.5%.
Should I hold both NDVG and SPYM?
NDVG and SPYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between NDVG and SPYM?
86.8% of NDVG's money is in holdings SPYM also owns. 27.1% of SPYM's is in holdings NDVG also owns. They hold 36 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in NDVG and 505 in SPYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, NDVG or SPYM?
NDVG yields 1.09% while SPYM yields 1.01%, so NDVG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPYM better than NDVG?
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. SPYM led over 1Y and the full window. SPYM is less concentrated, with 39.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.