State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Total Stock Market ETF and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF
The State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Total Stock Market ETF (SPTM) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) serve as foundational elements for long-term investors seeking comprehensive coverage of the U.S. stock market.
Both ETFs track comparable indices, leading to overlapping portfolios that include large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap companies within a single fund. So, how do you choose between them?
Snapshots (Cost and Size)
| Metric | SPTM | ITOT |
|---|---|---|
| Publisher | State Street | iShares |
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| 1 Year Return (as of May 15, 2026) | 28.40% | 28.45% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.09% | 1.03% |
| Beta (Monthly for 5 Years) | 1.01 | 1.04 |
| Assets Under Management (AUM) | $13.5 billion | $89 billion |
Beta signifies the price volatility compared to the S&P 500, calculated from five years of monthly returns. One year’s return reflects the total return expected over the next 12 months. The dividend yield indicates the trailing 12-month distribution yield.
Both funds are budget-friendly, with an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them attractive for retail investors. However, ITOT’s trailing dividend yield is slightly less than SPTM’s, which might matter when their other features are nearly identical.
Performance and Risk Comparison
| Metric | SPTM | ITOT |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Drawdown (5 Years) | -24.15% | -25.35% |
| $1,000 Growth in 5 Years (Total Return) | $1,883 | $1,829 |
What’s Inside
ITOT provides extensive exposure to the domestic stock market, with a sector distribution of 34% technology, 12% financial services, and 10% communications services. It includes 2,504 stocks, with major holdings like Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft. Established in 2004, it offered $1.61 per share in dividends over the last year.
SPTM shares a similar sector breakdown, allocating 34% to technology, 12% to financial services, and 11% to communications services. Its largest positions include Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft as well. The fund consists of 1,511 securities and has a trailing dividend of $0.95 per share.
What This Means for Investors
While SPTM and ITOT are quite alike in the key areas that matter to investors, some minor variations could influence returns.
ITOT contains around 1,000 more shares than SPTM, which might attract those seeking more diversification. Yet, this doesn’t hugely affect volatility or returns; both funds have similar maximum drawdowns and 1-year and 5-year total returns. Still, for those wanting a larger picture of the market, that additional diversification might be appealing.
Furthermore, ITOT’s higher assets under management (AUM) offer greater liquidity, making it simpler to trade larger quantities without altering the ETF’s stock price. Generally, this factor might not affect everyday investors significantly, but it’s an interesting point since it stands out as one of the few distinctions between these options.
