FTDS vs SDY
First Trust Dividend Strength ETF compared with State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
FTDS
First Trust Dividend Strength ETF
TTM yield · Quarterly
SDY
State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- SDY yields more today: 2.50% vs 1.18% (forward).
- FTDS has grown its payout faster: 22.1%/yr vs 8.5%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- Over the last year FTDS delivered the higher total return: +19.2% vs +12.0% (price change plus payouts).
- SDY is cheaper to own: 0.35% vs 0.70% expense ratio.
- SDY has the steadier distribution: consistency 89/100 vs 73/100.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | FTDS | SDY |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $65.67 | $154.63 |
| TTM yield | 1.50% | 2.41% |
| Forward yield | 1.18% | 2.50% |
| Annual payout per share | $0.772 | $3.872 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Sep 24, 2026 (est.) | Sep 21, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.70% | 0.35% |
| 1-year payout growth | -1.2% | +4.8% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +22.1% | +8.5% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 0 years | 0 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 73/100 | 89/100 |
| 1-year total return | +19.2% | +12.0% |
| 1-year price return | +17.5% | +9.4% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 39.8M | 21.8B |
| Years paying | 18.7 | 20.7 |
| Sector / category | Mid-Cap Value | Mid-Cap Value |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| FTDS | SDY | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 152.3 | 64.7 |
| Income per year | $118 | $250 |
| Income per month (avg) | $10 | $21 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model FTDS · Model SDY
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FTDS Sep 24, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | $0.193 | Est. |
| FTDS Dec 24, 2026 | Dec 29, 2026 | $0.193 | Est. |
| FTDS Mar 25, 2027 | Mar 30, 2027 | $0.193 | Est. |
| SDY Sep 21, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 | $0.968 | Est. |
| SDY Dec 21, 2026 | Jan 4, 2027 | $0.968 | Est. |
| SDY Mar 22, 2027 | Apr 5, 2027 | $0.968 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
FTDSSDY
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, FTDS or SDY?
SDY currently has the higher trailing yield: FTDS yields 1.50% and SDY yields 2.41%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do FTDS and SDY pay?
FTDS pays every quarter and SDY pays every quarter. FTDS's next ex-date is Sep 24, 2026 and SDY's is Sep 21, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, FTDS or SDY?
FTDS has grown its payout faster: 22.1%/yr vs 8.5%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is FTDS or SDY better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. FTDS and SDY differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.