SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • State Street • US Total Market
Expense Ratio
0.03%
AUM
$10.0B
Dividend Yield
1.40%
Inception
2000
Beginner Score
9/10
What is SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF?
SPTM tracks the S&P Composite 1500 Index, which combines the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400, and S&P SmallCap 600 into one fund covering the full range of U.S. stock market capitalization. It offers near-total market coverage at an ultra-low cost, with the added benefit of S&P's profitability screening across all size segments. This is a one-stop shop for U.S. stock exposure.
SPTM is managed by State Street and has been available since 2000. With $10.0B 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.
SPTM at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% |
| Total Holdings | 1,500 |
| P/E Ratio | 24.0 |
| Beta | 1.01 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.40% |
| AUM | $10.0B |
| Inception Year | 2000 |
| Issuer | State Street |
Top 10 Holdings in SPTM
SPTM holds 1,500 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple | AAPL | 6.50% |
| 2 | Microsoft | MSFT | 6.00% |
| 3 | NVIDIA | NVDA | 5.50% |
| 4 | Amazon | AMZN | 3.50% |
| 5 | Meta Platforms | META | 2.50% |
| 6 | Alphabet Class A | GOOGL | 2.10% |
| 7 | Berkshire Hathaway | BRK.B | 1.90% |
| 8 | Alphabet Class C | GOOG | 1.80% |
| 9 | Broadcom | AVGO | 1.70% |
| 10 | Tesla | TSLA | 1.50% |
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SPTM Performance History
Here's how SPTM 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
3.00%
1 Year
20.00%
3 Year
9.50%
5 Year
13.00%
10 Year
11.50%
Beginner Suitability Score: 9/10
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.
SPTM scores 9/10 because it has very low fees, can be more volatile than the broader market, offers broad diversification across 1,500 holdings, and has been available since 2000, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy SPTM — 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 "SPTM" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market 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 SPTM
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 SPTM'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 SPTM
Pros
- ✓Covers large, mid, and small-cap U.S. stocks in a single ultra-low-cost fund
- ✓S&P profitability screens apply across all market cap segments
- ✓Just 0.03% expense ratio for comprehensive total market exposure
- ✓Simpler than holding separate large, mid, and small-cap ETFs
Cons
- ✗Smaller AUM compared to mega-popular total market funds like VTI or ITOT
- ✗Still dominated by mega-cap tech stocks due to market-cap weighting
- ✗Less name recognition may mean some investors overlook this excellent fund
SPTM vs Similar ETFs
See how SPTM stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SPTM a good ETF for beginners?▾
SPTM has a Beginner Suitability Score of 9/10 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 SPTM?▾
SPTM 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 SPTM?▾
You can invest in SPTM 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 SPTM pay dividends?▾
Yes, SPTM 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 SPTM?▾
The top holdings in SPTM include Apple (6.50%), Microsoft (6.00%), NVIDIA (5.50%), and more. The fund holds 1,500 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.