SDY: SPDR S&P Dividend ETF returns, drawdowns and risk
Funds that select companies by dividend yield or by a record of growing dividends.
Data updated October 2026
SDY · US exchange · USDCategory: Dividend ETFsData from October 2006
From October 2006 to October 2026 SDY returned 8.6% a year on average with dividends reinvested, in US dollars: $10,000 invested at the start grew to $51,948.
Its deepest fall was 54.8%, from June 2007 to March 2009, and it took about 47 months to get back to the previous high. Annual volatility was 19.2%; at the last close it was 2.6% below its high.
Against SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust), over the 240 months both have data, the correlation of monthly returns was 0.84: they usually moved together. Beta was 0.83. In months when SPY rose, SDY moved 82% as much on average; in months when SPY fell, 84% as much.
Key figures
- Annual return (CAGR)
- +8.6%
- 1-year return
- +13.6%
- 5 years, a year
- +7.5%
- 10 years, a year
- +9.7%
- Annual volatility
- 19.2%
- Maximum drawdown
- −54.8%
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.44
- Worst year
- 2008: −22.8%
Trailing returns
| Period | SDY | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +13.6% | +16.6% |
| 3 years, a year | +13.9% | +23.1% |
| 5 years, a year | +7.5% | +12.7% |
| 10 years, a year | +9.7% | +15.4% |
To the last close of October 2026. Periods longer than a year are annualised.
Growth of $10,000: SDY vs SPY
Month-end values from November 2006, the first month both funds have data.
SDY drawdowns
Percentage below the previous high, weekly.
Returns by calendar year
| Year | SDY | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| 2026(partial) | +12.8% | +13.3% |
| 2025 | +8.2% | +17.7% |
| 2024 | +8.5% | +24.9% |
| 2023 | +2.6% | +26.2% |
| 2022 | −0.5% | −18.2% |
| 2021 | +25.3% | +28.7% |
| 2020 | +1.7% | +18.3% |
| 2019 | +23.3% | +31.2% |
| 2018 | −2.7% | −4.6% |
| 2017 | +15.8% | +21.7% |
| 2016 | +20.3% | +12.0% |
| 2015 | −0.8% | +1.2% |
| 2014 | +13.8% | +13.5% |
| 2013 | +30.1% | +32.3% |
| 2012 | +11.6% | +16.0% |
| 2011 | +7.1% | +1.9% |
| 2010 | +16.4% | +15.1% |
| 2009 | +19.2% | +26.4% |
| 2008 | −22.8% | −36.8% |
| 2007 | −6.7% | +5.1% |
| 2006(partial) | +2.9% | — |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Sharpe ratio uses the return of short-term government bills in the same currency as the risk-free rate. The growth chart uses month-end values; drawdowns and volatility use daily closes.
Questions
What is the average annual return of SDY?
From October 2006 to October 2026 SDY returned 8.6% a year on average (CAGR) with dividends reinvested, in USD. Over the last 5 years: +7.5% a year. Over the last 12 months: +13.6%.
What was the worst drawdown of SDY?
54.8%, from June 2007 to March 2009; it took about 47 months from the previous high to get back to it.
How volatile is SDY?
Annual volatility was 19.2% over the period. Its worst month was −15.3% and 64% of months were positive. Worst calendar year: 2008 (−22.8%).
How closely does SDY follow SPY?
Over 240 months the correlation of monthly returns was 0.84, so they usually moved together, with a beta of 0.83.
Use SDY in a free tool
Other Dividend ETFs
- All Dividend ETFsReturns and risk side by side
- VYM — Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETFCAGR +14.6%
- VIG — Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETFCAGR +13.8%
- DGRO — iShares Core Dividend Growth ETFCAGR +12.4%
- VHYL — Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF (Dist)CAGR +7.8%
- NOBL — ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETFCAGR +9.3%
- HDV — iShares Core High Dividend ETFCAGR +8.0%
- DVY — iShares Select Dividend ETFCAGR +8.1%
- SPYD — SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETFCAGR +13.1%
- TDIV — VanEck Morningstar Developed Markets Dividend Leaders UCITS ETFCAGR +9.6%
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.