Updated Reviewed quarterly
SPYM vs VTI: ETF Comparison
SPYM · State Street
TER 0.02% · Yield —
VTI · Vanguard
TER 0.03% · Yield 1.0%
Both SPYM and VTI are US-listed and trigger FIF tax for NZ residents above the NZ$50,000 overseas-share threshold. The comparison is about exposure, fee, and strategy — both share the same NZ tax friction.
In 30 seconds: SPYM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF, State Street) trades on the NYSE Arca at 0.02% TER. VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF, Vanguard) trades on the NYSE Arca at 0.03% TER. Both SPYM and VTI are US-listed and trigger FIF tax for NZ residents above the NZ$50,000 overseas-share threshold. The comparison is about exposure, fee, and strategy — both share the same NZ tax friction.
- SPYM: SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF — 0.02% TER, FIF above NZ$50K
- VTI: Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF — 0.03% TER, FIF above NZ$50K
- SPYM yield: not currently published
- VTI yield: 1.0% (Quarterly)
- Cheaper TER: SPYM
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | SPYM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Fund | SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF | Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF |
| Issuer | State Street | Vanguard |
| Exchange | NYSE Arca | NYSE Arca |
| Total expense ratio | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Dividend yield (TTM) | — | 1.0% |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| NZ tax wrapper | FIF above NZ$50K | FIF above NZ$50K |
Where to buy
SPYM trades on the NYSE Arca — buy via Hatch, Stake, Sharesies, Tiger and Interactive Brokers. VTI trades on the NYSE Arca — buy via Hatch, Stake, Sharesies, Tiger and Interactive Brokers. See all 11 NZ investment platforms compared.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SPYM and VTI?▾
SPYM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) charges 0.02% TER vs VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) at 0.03%. SPYM is from State Street; VTI is from Vanguard. Both SPYM and VTI are US-listed and trigger FIF tax for NZ residents above the NZ$50,000 overseas-share threshold. The comparison is about exposure, fee, and strategy — both share the same NZ tax friction.
Which has the lower fee, SPYM or VTI?▾
SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% TER vs VTI at 0.03% — a gap of 0.01 percentage points. Over 30 years on a NZ$50,000 portfolio at 7% pre-fee return, that fee gap compounds to roughly NZ1,066 of foregone wealth.
Which yields more, SPYM or VTI?▾
Yield data for at least one fund is not currently published — check the issuer fact sheet for the latest trailing 12-month yield. Headline yield is gross; after-tax outcome depends on your tax wrapper (FIF above NZ$50K for SPYM, FIF above NZ$50K for VTI).
Can NZ residents buy both SPYM and VTI?▾
Yes. SPYM is available via Hatch, Stake, Sharesies, Tiger and Interactive Brokers. VTI is available via Hatch, Stake, Sharesies, Tiger and Interactive Brokers.
How does NZ tax differ between SPYM and VTI?▾
SPYM is FIF above NZ$50K. VTI is FIF above NZ$50K. Same tax wrapper, no structural tax difference between the two for NZ residents. See /tax/pie-vs-fif/ for the full mechanics.
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