ETF Versus

SPDW vs VEA

State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares

Last updated: 2026-04-02

State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW) is an exchange-traded fund that provides exposure to equities in developed international markets outside the U.S.. It charges a very low expense ratio of 0.03%. The fund offers an attractive dividend yield of 3.16%. Launched in 2007, the fund has a 19-year track record.

AUM: $35.5B ER: 0.03% Yield: 3.16% Since: Apr 20, 2007
VEA Vanguard

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares (VEA) is an exchange-traded fund issued by Vanguard that provides exposure to equities in developed international markets outside the U.S.. It charges a very low expense ratio of 0.03%. The fund offers an attractive dividend yield of 2.88%. Launched in 2007, the fund has a 19-year track record.

AUM: $198.8B ER: 0.03% Yield: 2.88% Since: Jul 20, 2007

Quick Verdict

Both funds have delivered similar 1-year returns (27.1% vs 27.7%), tracking closely.

Key Metrics

Metric SPDW VEA
Expense Ratio 0.03% 0.03%
Dividend Yield 3.2% 2.9%
Fund Family N/A Vanguard
Category International Developed International Developed

Performance Chart

Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)

70 84 98 112 126 140 2021-04 2022-06 2023-09 2024-12 2026-04
SPDW +27.7%
VEA +29.0%

Performance Comparison

Period SPDW VEA Difference
1 Month -5.40% -5.61% +0.21%
3 Months +3.29% +3.07% +0.22%
6 Months +6.49% +6.68% -0.19%
YTD +3.29% +3.07% +0.22%
1 Year +27.05% +27.70% -0.65%
3 Years +43.33% +43.04% +0.29%
5 Years +27.68% +28.99% -1.31%

Fee Impact Over Time

Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns

Investment Period SPDW Fees VEA Fees You Save
$10.000 10 years $60 $60 $0
$10.000 20 years $258 $258 $0
$10.000 30 years $835 $835 $0
$50.000 10 years $299 $299 $0
$50.000 30 years $4.176 $4.176 $0
$100.000 30 years $8.352 $8.352 $0

Risk Metrics

Based on 5 years of daily returns

Metric SPDW VEA
Annualized Volatility 16.3% 16.4%
Max Drawdown -33.0% -32.3%
Sharpe Ratio 0.11 0.12

Dividend Comparison

Metric SPDW VEA
Annual Dividend (per share) $1.47 $1.88
Dividend Yield 3.16% 2.88%
Distribution Frequency Semi-Annual or Annual Quarterly

Top Holdings

7 of top 9 holdings overlap (78% overlap in top holdings)

SPDW Top Holdings

NameWeight
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.!lon/SMSN1.87%
ASML Holding N.V.!ams/ASML1.68%
AstraZeneca PLC!lon/AZN1.00%
Novartis AG!swx/NOVN0.98%
SK hynix Inc.!krx/0006600.96%
HSBC Holdings plc!lon/HSBA0.93%
Shell plc!lon/SHEL0.93%
Roche Holding AG!swx/ROP0.92%
Nestlé S.A.!swx/NESN0.86%
Toyota Motor Corporation!tyo/72030.81%

VEA Top Holdings

NameWeight
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.!krx/0059302.18%
ASML Holding N.V.!ams/ASML1.77%
SK hynix Inc.!krx/0006601.24%
Roche Holding AGROC1.L1.03%
Novartis AG!swx/NOVN1.00%
HSBC Holdings plc!lon/HSBA0.99%
AstraZeneca PLC!lon/AZN0.98%
Nestlé S.A.!swx/NESN0.86%
Toyota Motor Corporation!tyo/72030.80%

Which One Should You Choose?

Either works if...

you just need broad international developed exposure. Both are solid options — pick whichever your brokerage offers commission-free.

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