βš”οΈ Head to head

SYI vs RDV: Which ETF Is Better?

A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.

SYI comes out ahead on 9 of 9 measures. Which matters most depends on you.

The short answer

πŸ’ΈLower feeSYI wins
SYI
0.20%
RDV
0.34%

Worth about $9,652 on $100,000 over 20 years.

🏦Bigger fundSYI wins
SYI
$739m
RDV
$342m

Bigger funds usually trade more cheaply and are less likely to close.

πŸ“ˆ1-year returnSYI wins
SYI
+14.8%
RDV
+1.9%
πŸ“Š3-year returnSYI wins
SYI
+13.6% a yr
RDV
+11.7% a yr
🏁5-year returnSYI wins
SYI
+9.5% a yr
RDV
+7.0% a yr
βš–οΈCheaper to tradeToo close to call
SYI
0.06%
RDV
0.08%

SYI vs RDV side by side

SYI leads on 9, RDV on 0SYIState Street SPDR MSCI Australia Select High Dividend Yield ETFRDVRussell Investments High Dividend Australian Shares ETF
The basics
Index trackedMSCI Australia Select High Dividend Yield IndexSee the PDS
Fund managerState Street (SPDR)Russell Investments
Asset classAustralian sharesAustralian shares
ListedSep 2010May 2010
Cost and size
MERyearly fee, lower is better0.20%βœ“0.34%
AUMfund size$739mβœ“$342m
Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month$7.9mβœ“$1.7m
Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better0.06%0.08%
Total returns
1 month+1.7%βœ“βˆ’0.5%
1 year+14.8%βœ“+1.9%
3 years p.a.+13.6%βœ“+11.7%
5 years p.a.+9.5%βœ“+7.0%
$10,000 invested
1 year ago$11,475βœ“$10,192
5 years ago$15,710βœ“$14,041

βœ“ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.

SYI vs RDV price chart

Both ETFs on one chart as % change. Use the 1D to All buttons to change the period. Price only, so it leaves out distributions Β· TradingView

πŸ“ˆ Growth

What $10,000 invested is worth now

$10,000 put into SYI 5 years ago is worth $15,710 today, against $14,041 in RDV. That is $1,669 more in SYI.

SYIRDV$10,000 invested
$0k$5k$10k$15k$20k$11.5k$10.2k1 year agoSYI +$1,283$14.7k$13.9k3 years agoSYI +$747$15.7k$14.0k5 years agoSYI +$1,669

Total returns to 30 September 2026, with distributions reinvested, before tax and brokerage. The price chart above leaves out distributions, so it can look worse. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

πŸ’Έ Cost

What the fees cost you

SYI's lower fee leaves about $9,652 more in your pocket over 20 years.

SYI charges 0.20% a yearRDV charges 0.34% a year
🧾 Fees paid on $100,000Saving
5 years
SYI
βˆ’$1,306
RDV
βˆ’$2,214
You keep$908more with SYI
10 years
SYI
βˆ’$3,646
RDV
βˆ’$6,162
You keep$2,516more with SYI
20 years
SYI
βˆ’$14,212
RDV
βˆ’$23,864
You keep$9,652more with SYI

Total fees paid on a $100,000 investment, assuming a 7% a year return before fees. Illustration only: it ignores tax, brokerage and differences in returns.

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Joshua Stega
etfadviserExchange traded fund specialist adviser Β· 20 years’ experience
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FAQs

Which is better, SYI or RDV?

It depends on what you need. On our numbers SYI wins on 9 measures and RDV on 0. SYI is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.20% vs 0.34%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $9,652. SYI is the larger fund at $739m vs $342m. SYI has the better 1-year return: +14.8% vs +1.9%.

Which is cheaper, SYI or RDV?

SYI charges 0.20% a year and RDV charges 0.34% a year.

Can I hold both SYI and RDV?

You can, but check how much they overlap. SYI is a Australian shares fund and RDV is a Australian shares fund.

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General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.