VEA vs. XAR

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) and XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while XAR is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VEA returned 10.14%/yr vs 17.82%/yr for XAR. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VEA charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XAR.

Performance

VEA vs. XAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VEA having a 12.02% return and XAR slightly higher at 12.43%. Over the past 10 years, VEA has underperformed XAR with an annualized return of 10.14%, while XAR has yielded a comparatively higher 17.82% annualized return.

VEA

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: -1.37%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 6M: 14.95%
• 1Y: 28.06%
• 3Y*: 18.65%
• 5Y*: 9.09%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

XAR

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 2.15%
• YTD: 12.43%
• 6M: 16.39%
• 1Y: 37.23%
• 3Y*: 32.47%
• 5Y*: 15.97%
• 10Y*: 17.82%

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

VEA vs. XAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	12.02%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	12.43%	46.15%	23.32%	23.79%	-5.02%	2.31%	6.18%	39.33%	-4.58%	33.00%

Correlation

The correlation between VEA and XAR is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2011	0.61

The correlation between VEA and XAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

VEA vs. XAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEA	XAR
Financial Services	23.3%	-
Industrials	19.2%	99.1%
Technology	13.8%	0.8%
Healthcare	8.2%	-
Basic Materials	7.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.6%	-
Energy	5.4%	-
Communication Services	3.4%	-
Utilities	3.3%	-
Real Estate	2.7%	-

Return for Risk

VEA vs. XAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 56
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 58

XAR

XAR Risk / Return Rank: 43
XAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
XAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
XAR Omega Ratio Rank: 39
XAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
XAR Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

VEA vs. XAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). 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.

	VEA	XAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	1.39	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	2.02	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.23	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	2.17	+0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.39	6.13	+3.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEA vs. XAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEA Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is comparable to the XAR Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEA and XAR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VEA	XAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75	1.39	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.68	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.73	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.84	-0.60

Drawdowns

VEA vs. XAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEA drawdown since its inception was -60.68%, which is greater than XAR's maximum drawdown of -46.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEA and XAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEA	XAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.68%	-46.37%	-14.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.63%	-17.22%	+5.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.45%	-19.73%	+6.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.71%	-32.40%	+2.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.73%	-46.37%	+10.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.40%	-7.35%	+3.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.29%	-6.78%	-6.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.00%	6.09%	-3.09%

Volatility

VEA vs. XAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is 6.03%, while SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) has a volatility of 9.09%. This indicates that VEA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEA	XAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.03%	9.09%	-3.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.91%	22.58%	-8.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.15%	27.05%	-10.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.63%	23.46%	-6.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.40%	24.65%	-7.25%

VEA vs. XAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEA has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than XAR's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEA vs. XAR - Dividend Comparison

VEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, more than XAR's 0.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.69%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.32%	0.40%	0.66%	0.54%	0.50%	0.83%	0.63%	0.75%	1.19%	0.76%	1.09%	2.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEA and XAR in my portfolio?

VEA and XAR have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEA or XAR?

XAR has higher volatility (9.09%) compared to VEA (6.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEA dropped -60.68% vs XAR's -46.37%.

Which ETF is better, VEA or XAR?

On 10-year performance, XAR leads with 17.82% vs 10.14% for VEA. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VEA has been the lower-risk option at 6.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEA or XAR?

Over the 10-year period, XAR has performed better with a 17.82% return vs 10.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEA or XAR?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VEA or XAR?

VEA has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 0.32% for XAR.

What is the main difference between VEA and XAR?

VEA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while XAR is Aerospace & Defense. VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while XAR tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VEA and 0.35% for XAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.39), 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.