Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
HDV vs SPHD
iShares Core High Dividend ETF versus Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
HDV wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SPHD can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | HDV | SPHD | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 2.90% | 4.31% | SPHD wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.6/10 | 6.8/10 | HDV wins |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 8.00% | 30.00% | HDV wins |
| Scale | $13.7B | $3.3B | HDV wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 3 wins | 1 wins | HDV wins |
Dimension by dimension
SPHD wins on yield (4.31% vs 2.90%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $141 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
SPHD's higher yield (4.31%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus HDV's 2.90% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
HDV wins on safety (7.6/10 vs 6.8/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. HDV scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
HDV (7.6/10) scores 0.8 points higher than SPHD (6.8/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
Yield-trend comparison unavailable
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
HDV is cheaper (8.00% vs 30.00%)
On a $10,000 position the lower expense ratio saves about $2200/year — small annually but compounds significantly over 20+ years.
On $10,000 invested, HDV's lower expense ratio saves roughly $22/year in fees versus SPHD. Over 20 years that compounds to a meaningful drag — expense ratios are one of the few costs investors fully control.
HDV is 4.2× larger by AUM
Larger funds tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice.Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
Which is better for income, HDV or SPHD?
HDV wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SPHD can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
HDV vs SPHD: which has a higher dividend yield?
HDV yields 2.90% and SPHD yields 4.31%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $141 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is HDV or SPHD a safer dividend in 2026?
HDV scores 7.6/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. SPHD scores 6.8/10 (Solid). HDV is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, HDV or SPHD?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
HDV vs SPHD: which is more tax-efficient?
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
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