IDV vs SDY: ETF Comparison
Compare IDV (iShares International Select Dividend ETF) and SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) side by side by average annual total return since inception — one fair number covering price and dividends.
Updated Aug 4, 2026
*For entertainment purposes ONLY! NOT financial advice! Data may be inaccurate.*
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IDV vs SDY: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, SDY holds a clear edge over IDV: +9.0% per year vs +5.0% 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.
Income investors will notice the yield gap: IDV currently yields 4.8% 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.
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IDV vs SDY Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IDV | iShares International Select Dividend ETF | iShares | 6/11/2007 | 19.1y | +154.0% | +5.0% | 4.8% | 0.50% | B |
| SDY | SPDR S&P Dividend ETF | State Street | 11/8/2005 | 20.7y | +497.0% | +9.0% | 2.6% | 0.35% | A |
IDV vs SDY — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, IDV or SDY?
By average annual total return since inception, SDY holds a clear edge over IDV (+9.0% vs +5.0% per year). "Better" depends on your goals — yield, payout frequency, and strategy differ between the two funds.
What is the difference between IDV and SDY?
IDV (iShares International Select Dividend ETF) is offered by iShares and currently yields 4.8%. SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) is offered by State Street and yields 2.6%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +5.0% and +9.0% respectively.
Does SDY pay a higher dividend than IDV?
SDY currently yields 2.6% and IDV yields 4.8%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.