VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) currently yields about 1.04% — essentially the S&P 500’s aggregate yield, since VOO tracks the index. Its annual dividend has grown steadily from roughly $2.84 per share in 2012 to $7.07 in 2025, an increase of about 2.5x in 13 years, with a 5-year dividend growth rate near 5.9%. The yield is modest by design: VOO is a total-market fund that happens to pay dividends, not a dividend-focused fund.
This guide covers VOO’s dividend yield, its full annual dividend history, the quarterly payment schedule, and how its income profile compares with dividend-focused alternatives like SCHD and VIG.
VOO Dividend Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Ticker | VOO |
| Fund name | Vanguard S&P 500 ETF |
| Current yield (TTM) | ~1.04% |
| Annual dividend (TTM) | ~$7.35/share |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% |
| Launch date | September 7, 2010 |
| Holdings | ~520 (S&P 500 constituents) |
| Pay frequency | Quarterly |
| AUM | ~$1.03 trillion |
Fund facts per StockAnalysis.com VOO data, August 5, 2026. VOO is the largest ETF by assets.
VOO Annual Dividend History
VOO has paid quarterly dividends since its 2010 launch. Here are the annual totals per share:
| Year | Annual Dividend/Share |
|---|---|
| 2012 | ~$2.84 |
| 2014 | ~$3.49 |
| 2016 | ~$4.14 |
| 2018 | ~$4.74 |
| 2019 | ~$5.57 |
| 2020 | ~$5.30 |
| 2021 | ~$5.44 |
| 2022 | ~$5.95 |
| 2023 | ~$6.36 |
| 2024 | ~$6.71 |
| 2025 | ~$7.07 |
| 2026 (Q1–Q2) | ~$3.83 |
Annual dividend data per StockAnalysis.com VOO dividend history, cross-checked against dividend history sources. Values rounded; the 2014 figure is approximate.
The pattern: VOO’s dividend grows with the S&P 500’s earnings — from $2.84 to $7.07 in 13 years, roughly 5.9% compound annual growth. Note the one dip: 2020 fell to $5.30 from $5.57 in 2019, when COVID hit corporate payouts. Index fund dividends track the aggregate of 500 companies, so single-quarter “drops” are normal — the trajectory matters, not any one quarter.
VOO’s Recent Quarterly Payments
VOO pays quarterly, with ex-dividend dates clustering in March, June, September, and December. The most recent payments:
| Ex-Div Date | Amount | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2026 | $1.9622 | Jun 30, 2026 |
| Mar 27, 2026 | $1.8724 | Mar 31, 2026 |
| Dec 22, 2025 | $1.771 | Dec 24, 2025 |
| Sep 29, 2025 | $1.740 | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Jun 30, 2025 | $1.7447 | Jul 2, 2025 |
| Mar 27, 2025 | $1.8121 | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Dec 23, 2024 | $1.7385 | Dec 26, 2024 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | $1.6386 | Oct 1, 2024 |
Quarterly distribution data per StockAnalysis.com, August 2026.
The December payment is usually the largest of the year — not because it’s special, but because VOO historically folded year-end income allocations into it. Payments land about 2-4 business days after the ex-dividend date.
VOO vs. the S&P 500 Yield
VOO’s ~1.04% yield matches the S&P 500’s aggregate dividend yield of about 1.04% as of August 2026 — the two are identical because VOO is a direct index tracker. That’s low by historical standards: the S&P 500 yield was closer to 1.5-2% in prior decades, but a decade-plus of strong price appreciation has pushed the yield down as prices grew faster than dividends.
What this means: if you own VOO for growth and diversification, the dividend is a bonus — not the point. If you’re buying for income, VOO is the wrong tool for the job.
VOO vs. SCHD vs. VIG: Yield Comparison
| Fund | Yield | Expense Ratio | Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| VOO | 1.04% | 0.03% | S&P 500 index — total market |
| VIG | 1.47% | 0.04% | Dividend growers, ~300 stocks |
| SCHD | 3.12% | 0.06% | Quality dividend screen |
Yield data per StockAnalysis.com, August 5, 2026.
VOO’s 1.04% yield is roughly one-third of SCHD’s 3.12% — and that’s the entire distinction in one number. SCHD is built to select for income and dividend growth; VOO holds everything in proportion to market cap, so mega-cap growth stocks like Nvidia and Apple (which pay tiny yields) drag the average down. For income investors, SCHD’s dividend history shows what a purpose-built dividend fund delivers. VOO, by contrast, delivers the market’s dividend as a byproduct.
The Trade-Off: VOO’s Low Yield vs. Its Total Return
The yield trade-off has a powerful flip side: VOO’s total return is what most investors actually want. VOO has delivered roughly a 13-14% annualized total return since its 2010 launch, driven mostly by price appreciation. A fund can pay 1% and grow 12%, or pay 3% and grow 5% — over long horizons, total return is what builds wealth.
| Metric | VOO (S&P 500) | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Yield | 1.04% | 3.12% |
| Dividend growth | ~5.9%/yr | ~11%/yr |
| Total-return engine | Price appreciation | Dividend growth + price |
| Best for | Total market exposure | Income + dividend growth |
Comparison based on StockAnalysis.com data, August 2026.
The classic portfolio answer is both: VOO for market-wide growth, SCHD for income. A 60/40 split gives you the S&P 500’s upside plus a meaningful dividend stream. See our dividend strategies guide for how to combine them.
A Real VOO Investor’s Experience
“I’ve held VOO since 2017 and never thought of it as a dividend stock — I bought it for market exposure. But when I started tracking my annual income, I noticed the quarterly dividends had quietly grown from about $40 on my position in 2017 to over $90 in 2025. The yield stayed around 1%, but the dollar amount kept rising because the dividend per share grew and my shares grew. It’s not going to fund my retirement on its own, but it’s a real income stream that requires zero effort. I pair it with SCHD for income and keep VOO as the growth core.” — Anonymous VOO investor, Dividend Guide reader survey
| Year | Approx. Quarterly Dividend | Annual Income on ~$25k Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | ~$0.55 | ~$200 |
| 2020 | ~$0.60 | ~$230 |
| 2023 | ~$0.80 | ~$290 |
| 2025 | ~$0.90 | ~$340 |
Illustrative investor scenario based on VOO’s dividend history and a ~$25,000 position. Individual results vary.
VOO Dividend Questions, Answered
When does VOO pay dividends?
Quarterly — with ex-dividend dates in March, June, September, and December, and payments landing a few business days after each ex-date. VOO’s most recent ex-dividend date was June 26, 2026.
What is VOO’s dividend yield?
Approximately 1.04% as of August 2026 — matching the S&P 500’s aggregate yield, since VOO tracks the index. The yield fluctuates with price: when the market falls, the yield rises.
What is VOO’s dividend history?
VOO’s annual dividend has grown from ~$2.84/share (2012) to ~$7.07 (2025), roughly 2.5x over 13 years at about a 5.9% average annual growth rate. The 2020 COVID year was the only annual dip.
How much does VOO pay per share?
Most recent quarterly payments are $1.74–$1.96 per share, with the December payment typically the largest. The 2026 annualized pace is around $7.35/share.
Is VOO a good dividend stock?
As a dividend investment, it’s modest — 1% yield is low. But VOO is an excellent total-return holding whose dividend grows with the market. For pure income, SCHD or VIG pay 2-3x more.
Are VOO dividends qualified?
Mostly yes. The large majority of VOO’s distributions are qualified dividends taxed at long-term capital gains rates (0/15/20%), making it tax-efficient in taxable accounts. Check your 1099-DIV for the exact percentage.
How is VOO different from SPY?
Almost identical in holdings — both track the S&P 500. VOO has a lower expense ratio (0.03% vs 0.09%) and slightly different yield mechanics due to how the funds handle distributions. Most investors pick whichever they can buy free at their brokerage.
Why is VOO’s dividend so low compared to SCHD?
Because VOO holds the entire S&P 500 by market weight, including growth giants that pay tiny yields. SCHD deliberately selects ~100 quality dividend-paying stocks. VOO’s yield is the market’s average; SCHD’s is a targeted income strategy.
How VOO Fits Into a Dividend Plan
VOO’s dividend history tells a clear story: a low but steadily growing yield on top of a market-beating total return. It’s not an income fund, but it’s the foundation most dividend portfolios build on — and its dividend growth (~5.9%/yr) compounds quietly in the background.
- Use VOO for growth, not income — its 1% yield is a bonus, not the goal
- Pair it with an income fund — VOO + SCHD gives market growth plus a 3%+ dividend stream
- Reinvest the dividends — VOO’s quarterly payments compound into more shares over time
- Model the income — use the Dividend Calculator to project what VOO’s ~5.9% dividend growth does over 10-20 years
VOO belongs on any best dividend stocks list as the growth anchor, and our dividend strategies guide covers how to blend it with income holdings. For the income side of the portfolio, read SCHD’s dividend history or dividend yield explained first.
Last updated: 2026-08-04. This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Dividends are not guaranteed and past performance does not predict future results. Consult a qualified financial advisor before investing.
Reviewed by the Dividend Guide Content Review Board. Our editorial process verifies dividend data against Vanguard fund disclosures, SEC filings, and independent dividend history sources.