SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • State Street Global Advisors • International Developed
Expense Ratio
0.03%
AUM
$18.0B
Dividend Yield
2.80%
Inception
2007
Beginner Score
9.5/10
What is SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF?
SPDW provides broad exposure to developed market stocks outside the United States at an ultra-low cost. It covers companies in Europe, Japan, Australia, and other developed economies. For beginners building a globally diversified portfolio, SPDW is one of the cheapest ways to add international developed market exposure.
SPDW is managed by State Street Global Advisors and has been available since 2007. With $18.0B in assets under management, it's a well-established fund with strong institutional backing. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.03%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $3 per year in management fees.
SPDW at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% |
| Total Holdings | 2,500 |
| P/E Ratio | 15.2 |
| Beta | 0.85 |
| Dividend Yield | 2.80% |
| AUM | $18.0B |
| Inception Year | 2007 |
| Issuer | State Street Global Advisors |
Top 10 Holdings in SPDW
SPDW holds 2,500 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Novo Nordisk A/S | NVO | 2.20% |
| 2 | ASML Holding NV | ASML | 1.90% |
| 3 | Nestlé SA | NSRGY | 1.50% |
| 4 | Samsung Electronics Co. | 005930.KS | 1.40% |
| 5 | Toyota Motor Corp. | TM | 1.30% |
| 6 | AstraZeneca PLC | AZN | 1.20% |
| 7 | SAP SE | SAP | 1.10% |
| 8 | LVMH Moët Hennessy | MC.PA | 1.00% |
| 9 | Shell PLC | SHEL | 1.00% |
| 10 | Roche Holding AG | ROG.SW | 0.90% |
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SPDW Performance History
Here's how SPDW has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
2.00%
1 Year
10.00%
3 Year
5.00%
5 Year
7.00%
10 Year
5.50%
Beginner Suitability Score: 9.5/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
SPDW scores 9.5/10 because it has very low fees, shows lower-than-average volatility, offers broad diversification across 2,500 holdings, and has been available since 2007, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy SPDW — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "SPDW" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into SPDW
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With SPDW's expense ratio of 0.03%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $258 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is a reasonable fee level for the value provided.
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Pros and Cons of SPDW
Pros
- ✓Ultra-low expense ratio of 0.03% makes it one of the cheapest international ETFs
- ✓Broad diversification across 2,500+ stocks in 20+ developed countries
- ✓Higher dividend yield than most U.S. equity ETFs
- ✓Reduces home country bias in an all-U.S. portfolio
Cons
- ✗Has historically underperformed U.S. large-cap stocks over the past decade
- ✗Currency fluctuations can add volatility for U.S.-based investors
- ✗Less technology sector weighting compared to U.S. markets
SPDW vs Similar ETFs
See how SPDW stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SPDW a good ETF for beginners?▾
SPDW has a Beginner Suitability Score of 9.5/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of SPDW?▾
SPDW has an expense ratio of 0.03%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $3 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in SPDW?▾
You can invest in SPDW with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does SPDW pay dividends?▾
Yes, SPDW pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 2.80%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in SPDW?▾
The top holdings in SPDW include Novo Nordisk A/S (2.20%), ASML Holding NV (1.90%), Nestlé SA (1.50%), and more. The fund holds 2,500 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.