Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH) belongs to the Financials Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VFH. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VFH
VFH charges 0.09% annually. There are 2 ETFs in the Financials Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.08% | 57.61B | Dec 1998 | VFH vs XLF | |
| Fidelity MSCI Financials Index ETF | 0.08% | 2.23B | Oct 2013 | VFH vs FNCL | |
| VanEck Financials TruSector ETF | 0.10% | 593.86K | Apr 2026 | VFH vs TRUF | |
| Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF | 0.10% | 50.20M | May 2022 | VFH vs GABF | |
| Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF | 0.13% | 438.81M | Nov 2025 | VFH vs PBEU |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VFH
VFH has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 31. There are 21 ETFs in the Financials Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 94.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSBC Holdings plc ADRhedged ETF | 94 | 5.04M | Oct 2024 | VFH vs HSBH | |
| Themes Global Systemically Important Banks ETF | 87 | 48.36M | Dec 2023 | VFH vs GSIB | |
| iShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF | 66 | 4.20B | Jan 2010 | VFH vs EUFN | |
| Invesco KBW Bank ETF | 65 | 6.70B | Nov 2011 | VFH vs KBWB | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Financials ETF | 64 | 27.49M | Apr 2010 | VFH vs PSCF |
Top Performing VFH Alternatives (YTD)
VFH is at 7.22% YTD. There are 23 ETFs in the Financials Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 37.72%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSBC Holdings plc ADRhedged ETF | 37.72% | 5.04M | Oct 2024 | VFH vs HSBH | |
| First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund | 25.48% | 93.23M | Jun 2009 | VFH vs QABA | |
| Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF | 24.05% | 438.81M | Nov 2025 | VFH vs PBEU | |
| Themes Global Systemically Important Banks ETF | 22.50% | 48.36M | Dec 2023 | VFH vs GSIB | |
| SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF | 21.51% | 4.62B | Jun 2006 | VFH vs KRE |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VFH
VFH has 14.96% 1-year volatility. There are 8 ETFs in the Financials Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 11.80%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | 11.80% | 7.51M | Jul 2025 | VFH vs XLFI | |
| iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF | 13.37% | 68.36M | Sep 2020 | VFH vs KWT | |
| VanEck Financials TruSector ETF | 13.46% | 593.86K | Apr 2026 | VFH vs TRUF | |
| iShares Global Financials ETF | 14.05% | 690.89M | Nov 2001 | VFH vs IXG | |
| iShares U.S. Financials ETF | 14.58% | 4.43B | May 2000 | VFH vs IYF |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VFH
VFH has a 1-year max drawdown of -14.75%. There are 17 ETFs in the Financials Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -7.62%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares U.S. Insurance ETF | -7.62% | 537.00M | May 2006 | VFH vs IAK | |
| Invesco KBW Property & Casualty Insurance ETF | -9.56% | 272.55M | Dec 2010 | VFH vs KBWP | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Financials ETF | -9.91% | 27.49M | Apr 2010 | VFH vs PSCF | |
| iShares Global Financials ETF | -11.33% | 690.89M | Nov 2001 | VFH vs IXG | |
| iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF | -11.54% | 68.36M | Sep 2020 | VFH vs KWT |
Other ETFs from Vanguard
The 10 most viewed Vanguard ETFs shown here include VOO, VTI, VGT and span 8 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $2T.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 72 | 13.74% | 1.70T | Sep 2010 | VFH vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 72 | 14.27% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VFH vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 58 | 27.80% | 169.20B | Mar 2004 | VFH vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 66 | 15.23% | 651.00B | Jan 2011 | VFH vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 35 | 9.81% | 378.80B | Jan 2004 | VFH vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 14.42% | 97.00B | Jun 2008 | VFH vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 90 | 16.57% | 96.20B | Nov 2006 | VFH vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 24 | 0.10% | 398.10B | Apr 2007 | VFH vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 74 | 11.89% | 129.60B | Apr 2006 | VFH vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 93 | 18.44% | 254.20B | Jan 2004 | VFH vs VTV |
Often Compared With VFH
Investors most often compare VFH with VHT, SPY, IYG. These 20 comparison targets span 11 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VFH with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VFH with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VFH with funds that move differently
Vanguard Financials ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VFH.
Explore VFH Diversifiers