SPXV vs. VHT

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

SPXV (ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Health Care ETF) and VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPXV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Ex-Health Care Index, while VHT is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPXV returned 15.96%/yr vs 10.22%/yr for VHT. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.09% expense ratio.

Performance

SPXV vs. VHT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Health Care ETF (SPXV) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPXV achieves a 8.39% return, which is significantly higher than VHT's 0.68% return. Over the past 10 years, SPXV has outperformed VHT with an annualized return of 15.96%, while VHT has yielded a comparatively lower 10.22% annualized return.

SPXV

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: -2.14%
• YTD: 8.39%
• 6M: 7.18%
• 1Y: 22.26%
• 3Y*: 22.33%
• 5Y*: 13.76%
• 10Y*: 15.96%

VHT

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 3.39%
• YTD: 0.68%
• 6M: -0.22%
• 1Y: 18.59%
• 3Y*: 7.35%
• 5Y*: 4.62%
• 10Y*: 10.22%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SPXV vs. VHT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPXV ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Health Care ETF	8.39%	18.40%	28.02%	30.71%	-20.47%	28.37%	18.99%	33.58%	-3.81%	17.01%
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	0.68%	15.46%	2.66%	2.52%	-5.60%	20.57%	18.29%	21.87%	5.58%	23.26%

Correlation

The correlation between SPXV and VHT is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015	0.49

Over the past year, the correlation between SPXV and VHT has dropped to 0.25 - well below their long-term average of 0.49, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SPXV vs. VHT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPXV	VHT
Technology	42.6%	0.0%
Financial Services	12.1%	0.0%
Communication Services	11.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.8%	-
Industrials	8.5%	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.4%	-
Utilities	2.3%	-
Real Estate	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	-
Healthcare	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

SPXV vs. VHT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

SPXV

SPXV Risk / Return Rank: 57
SPXV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SPXV Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
SPXV Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SPXV Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPXV Martin Ratio Rank: 64

VHT

VHT Risk / Return Rank: 38
VHT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VHT Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
VHT Omega Ratio Rank: 36
VHT Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
VHT Martin Ratio Rank: 32

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

SPXV vs. VHT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Health Care ETF (SPXV) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SPXV	VHT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	1.27	+0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	1.98	+0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.22	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	1.80	+0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.19	4.41	+5.78

SPXV vs. VHT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPXV Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is higher than the VHT Sharpe Ratio of 1.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPXV and VHT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SPXV vs. VHT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPXV drawdown since its inception was -34.34%, smaller than the maximum VHT drawdown of -39.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPXV and VHT.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPXV	VHT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.34%	-39.12%	+4.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.15%	-10.40%	+1.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.89%	-16.91%	-2.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-17.71%	-8.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.34%	-28.85%	-5.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.27%	-2.51%	-1.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.51%	-5.98%	+1.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.19%	4.23%	-2.04%

Volatility

SPXV vs. VHT - Volatility Comparison

ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Health Care ETF (SPXV) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) have volatilities of 5.02% and 4.98%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPXV	VHT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.02%	4.98%	+0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.54%	10.48%	+0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.33%	14.73%	-1.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.89%	15.03%	+2.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	16.95%	+1.12%

SPXV vs. VHT - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SPXV and VHT have an expense ratio of 0.09%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPXV vs. VHT - Dividend Comparison

SPXV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than VHT's 1.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPXV ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Health Care ETF	0.92%	0.97%	1.12%	1.27%	1.67%	1.11%	1.45%	1.58%	1.89%	1.57%	2.66%	0.56%
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	1.63%	1.61%	1.53%	1.36%	1.33%	1.14%	1.21%	1.89%	1.38%	1.31%	1.45%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPXV and VHT in my portfolio?

SPXV and VHT have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPXV or VHT?

SPXV has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to VHT (4.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPXV dropped -34.34% vs VHT's -39.12%.

Which ETF is better, SPXV or VHT?

On 10-year performance, SPXV leads with 15.96% vs 10.22% for VHT. Both ETFs have the same 0.09% expense ratio. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPXV or VHT?

Over the 10-year period, SPXV has performed better with a 15.96% return vs 10.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPXV or VHT?

SPXV and VHT have the same expense ratio: 0.09% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPXV or VHT?

VHT has the higher dividend yield at 1.63%, compared with 0.92% for SPXV.

What is the main difference between SPXV and VHT?

SPXV is categorized as S&P 500, while VHT is Health & Biotech Equities. SPXV tracks S&P 500 Ex-Health Care Index, while VHT tracks MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Vanguard.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 1.27), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.