PDI vs SDY: ETF Comparison
Compare PDI (PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund) 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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PDI vs SDY: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, PDI narrowly leads SDY: +10.0% per year vs +9.0% per year — a gap of 1.0 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.
Keep the track records in mind: SDY has been trading for 20.7 years, while PDI has only 14.2 years of history. A shorter track record means the younger fund's average has been shaped by fewer market environments — one strong or weak stretch moves the needle more.
Income investors will notice the yield gap: PDI currently yields 16.10% 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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PDI vs SDY Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDI | PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund | Pimco | 5/25/2012 | 14.2y | +289.0% | +10.0% | 16.10% | 1.10% | C |
| SDY | SPDR S&P Dividend ETF | State Street | 11/8/2005 | 20.7y | +497.0% | +9.0% | 2.6% | 0.35% | A |
PDI vs SDY — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, PDI or SDY?
By average annual total return since inception, PDI narrowly leads SDY (+10.0% vs +9.0% per year). "Better" depends on your goals — yield, payout frequency, and strategy differ between the two funds.
What is the difference between PDI and SDY?
PDI (PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund) is offered by Pimco and currently yields 16.10%. SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) is offered by State Street and yields 2.6%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +10.0% and +9.0% respectively.
Does PDI pay a higher dividend than SDY?
PDI currently yields 16.10% and SDY yields 2.6%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.