SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPLG): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • State Street • US Large-Cap Blend
Expense Ratio
0.02%
AUM
$40.0B
Dividend Yield
1.40%
Inception
2005
Beginner Score
9.5/10
What is SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF?
SPLG tracks the S&P 500 Index at an expense ratio of just 0.02%, making it one of the absolute cheapest ways to own America's 500 largest companies. It is the low-cost sibling of the famous SPY ETF, designed specifically for long-term buy-and-hold investors rather than active traders. The lower share price compared to SPY also makes it more accessible for smaller investment amounts.
SPLG is managed by State Street and has been available since 2005. With $40.0B in assets under management, it's a well-established fund with strong institutional backing. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.02%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $2 per year in management fees.
SPLG at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.02% |
| Total Holdings | 503 |
| P/E Ratio | 25.5 |
| Beta | 1.00 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.40% |
| AUM | $40.0B |
| Inception Year | 2005 |
| Issuer | State Street |
Top 10 Holdings in SPLG
SPLG holds 503 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple | AAPL | 7.00% |
| 2 | Microsoft | MSFT | 6.50% |
| 3 | NVIDIA | NVDA | 6.00% |
| 4 | Amazon | AMZN | 3.80% |
| 5 | Meta Platforms | META | 2.80% |
| 6 | Alphabet Class A | GOOGL | 2.30% |
| 7 | Berkshire Hathaway | BRK.B | 2.00% |
| 8 | Alphabet Class C | GOOG | 1.90% |
| 9 | Broadcom | AVGO | 1.80% |
| 10 | Tesla | TSLA | 1.70% |
Recommended: This beginner-friendly ETF course on Udemy covers everything from ETF fundamentals to building a recession-proof portfolio in 7 days.
SPLG Performance History
Here's how SPLG 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
3.20%
1 Year
22.00%
3 Year
10.00%
5 Year
14.00%
10 Year
12.00%
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.
SPLG scores 9.5/10 because it has very low fees, shows lower-than-average volatility, offers broad diversification across 503 holdings, and has been available since 2005, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy SPLG — 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 "SPLG" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 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 SPLG
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 SPLG's expense ratio of 0.02%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $172 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is very minimal — one of the lowest in the industry.
Get the Free ETF Portfolio Blueprint
3 model portfolios for beginners — Conservative, Balanced, and Growth. See exactly which ETFs to buy.
Pros and Cons of SPLG
Pros
- ✓Rock-bottom 0.02% expense ratio is among the lowest of any S&P 500 ETF
- ✓Lower share price than SPY makes it more accessible for dollar-cost averaging
- ✓Same S&P 500 exposure as SPY but optimized for long-term holding costs
- ✓State Street backing provides institutional reliability and tight index tracking
Cons
- ✗Much lower trading volume than SPY, which matters for large institutional trades
- ✗Lacks the deep options market and tight spreads that SPY offers to active traders
- ✗Heavy mega-cap tech concentration mirrors the same risk as any cap-weighted S&P 500 fund
SPLG vs Similar ETFs
See how SPLG stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SPLG a good ETF for beginners?▾
SPLG 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 SPLG?▾
SPLG has an expense ratio of 0.02%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $2 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in SPLG?▾
You can invest in SPLG 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 SPLG pay dividends?▾
Yes, SPLG pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 1.40%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in SPLG?▾
The top holdings in SPLG include Apple (7.00%), Microsoft (6.50%), NVIDIA (6.00%), and more. The fund holds 503 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.