HDV vs SPYD: Dividend Comparison
Dividend data as of
iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) are both in the ETF sector, making them natural rivals for dividend investors. SPYD offers a significantly higher 4.32% yield compared to HDV's 2.96%, a gap of 1.36%. For dividend growth, SPYD leads with a 5-year CAGR of 14.2% versus HDV's 2.8%.
Verdict
Yield Analysis
SPYD yields 1.36% more than HDV. In dollar terms, HDV pays $3.91/share vs SPYD's $1.96/share annually.
Dividend Growth
HDV: Dividend growth is slowing — the 3-year CAGR of 0.2% trails the 5-year rate of 2.8% and the 10-year rate of 4.2%.
SPYD: Dividend growth is slowing — the 3-year CAGR of 3.5% trails the 5-year rate of 14.2% and the 10-year rate of 2.9%.
Dividend Safety
Estimated Annual Dividend Income
Based on current dividend yields. Actual income may vary.
What does $10,000 buy in HDV vs SPYD today?
At $138.92 per share, $10,000 buys about 72.0 shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV). Each share pays $3.91 per year in dividends, so the position starts out generating roughly $282 per year — about $23 a month.
At $48.08 per share, $10,000 buys about 208.0 shares of SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD). Each share pays $1.96 per year in dividends, so the position starts out generating roughly $407 per year — about $34 a month.
SPYD is the larger income stream from day one: $126 per year more on the same $10,000 invested.
What could $10,000 of HDV or SPYD income look like in 10 years?
iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) has raised its dividend about 2.8% a year over the past five years. If that pace held, the $296 per year that $10,000 generates today at the current 2.96% yield would reach $389 per year by 2036 — a 3.9% yield on the original cost.
SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) has raised its dividend about 14.2% a year over the past five years. If that pace held, the $432 per year that $10,000 generates today at the current 4.32% yield would reach $1,628 per year by 2036 — a 16.3% yield on the original cost.
On those trailing rates, SPYD pays more in 2036: $1,628 versus $389 per year. The projection assumes each five-year growth rate persists and no dividends are reinvested — real payouts will differ.
When would HDV's dividend growth overtake SPYD's higher yield?
It doesn't, on the trailing numbers. SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) yields more today (4.32% vs 2.96%) and has also grown its dividend at least as fast (14.2% vs 2.8% a year over five years). Unless HDV accelerates its raises or SPYD stumbles, HDV never closes the income gap — SPYD wins on both current income and growth.
Why is there no payout ratio for HDV or SPYD?
REWD has neither an earnings-per-share figure nor a payout ratio for iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) — typical for ETFs and covered-call funds, whose distributions are funded by the underlying portfolio (stock dividends, option premium, or return of capital) rather than a single company's earnings. For a fund, judge sustainability by the distribution history and the strategy behind it, not a payout ratio.
Which fits an early-retirement income portfolio better, HDV or SPYD?
For income you need right now, SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) leads: $100,000 invested today pays about $360 a month at the current 4.32% yield, versus $247 a month from iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) at 2.96%.
SPYD also leads on dividend growth (14.2% vs 2.8% a year over five years), so the trailing numbers favor it on both fronts.
On consistency: SPYD has raised its dividend 2 consecutive years.
Many income investors simply hold both — the mix pairs current yield with growth and spreads single-name risk. Whichever way you lean, dividends are never guaranteed; recheck the payout each quarter rather than setting and forgetting.
$10,000 with DRIP: projected annual income
If each holding keeps raising its dividend at its real 5-year rate and every payment is reinvested, a $10,000 position pays $520/yr in HDV vs $2,486/yr in SPYD by year 10.
Assumes dividends are reinvested at the current yield and grow at each holding's trailing 5-year dividend CAGR. A projection, not a prediction — no price appreciation modeled.
Track HDV and SPYD in your portfolio
See your real income from both — forward projections, yield on cost, and dividend safety signals. Sync your brokerage free for 30 days, or track holdings manually on the free plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Individual Stock Analysis
Dividend Tools
Track Your Dividends
More Comparisons
This tool is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a licensed professional before making investment decisions.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. All projections are hypothetical estimates based on user-provided inputs and may differ materially from actual outcomes.
By using this tool you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.