SPYI vs VYM: ETF Comparison
Compare SPYI (NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield 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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SPYI vs VYM: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, SPYI holds a clear edge over VYM: +14.6% per year vs +9.4% per year — a gap of 5.2 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: VYM has been trading for 19.7 years, while SPYI has only 3.9 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: SPYI currently yields 11.94% vs VYM's 2.5%. Higher yield often comes with trade-offs in price appreciation, which is exactly why total return is the fairer scoreboard.
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SPYI vs VYM Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPYI | NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF | NEOS | 8/30/2022 | 3.9y | +71.0% | +14.6% | 11.94% | 0.68% | B |
| VYM | Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Vanguard | 11/10/2006 | 19.7y | +487.0% | +9.4% | 2.5% | 0.04% | A |
SPYI vs VYM — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, SPYI or VYM?
By average annual total return since inception, SPYI holds a clear edge over VYM (+14.6% vs +9.4% per year). "Better" depends on your goals — yield, payout frequency, and strategy differ between the two funds.
What is the difference between SPYI and VYM?
SPYI (NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF) is offered by NEOS and currently yields 11.94%. VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) is offered by Vanguard and yields 2.5%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +14.6% and +9.4% respectively.
Does SPYI pay a higher dividend than VYM?
SPYI currently yields 11.94% and VYM yields 2.5%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.