VEU vs. XLP

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VEU (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF) and XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEU is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US Index, while XLP is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VEU returned 9.86%/yr vs 7.21%/yr for XLP. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VEU charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLP.

Performance

VEU vs. XLP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEU achieves a 11.45% return, which is significantly higher than XLP's 7.54% return. Over the past 10 years, VEU has outperformed XLP with an annualized return of 9.86%, while XLP has yielded a comparatively lower 7.21% annualized return.

VEU

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: -1.72%
• YTD: 11.45%
• 6M: 13.84%
• 1Y: 27.37%
• 3Y*: 18.27%
• 5Y*: 8.16%
• 10Y*: 9.86%

XLP

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: -1.32%
• YTD: 7.54%
• 6M: 8.22%
• 1Y: 4.50%
• 3Y*: 7.23%
• 5Y*: 6.10%
• 10Y*: 7.21%

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

VEU vs. XLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF	11.45%	32.35%	5.56%	15.84%	-15.58%	8.27%	11.10%	21.83%	-14.18%	27.40%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	7.54%	1.52%	12.20%	-0.82%	-0.81%	17.20%	10.11%	27.43%	-8.07%	12.98%

Correlation

The correlation between VEU and XLP is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2007	0.55

Over the past year, the correlation between VEU and XLP has dropped to 0.15 - well below their long-term average of 0.55, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VEU vs. XLP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEU	XLP
Financial Services	23.3%	-
Technology	18.5%	-
Industrials	15.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.2%	1.0%
Basic Materials	7.1%	-
Healthcare	7.1%	-
Energy	5.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	99.0%
Communication Services	4.6%	-
Utilities	3.2%	-
Real Estate	2.0%	-

Return for Risk

VEU vs. XLP — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEU

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

XLP

XLP Risk / Return Rank: 15
XLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
XLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
XLP Omega Ratio Rank: 14
XLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLP Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

VEU vs. XLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). 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.

	VEU	XLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	0.36	+1.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	0.60	+1.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.07	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	0.47	+1.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.28	0.91	+8.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEU vs. XLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEU Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is higher than the XLP Sharpe Ratio of 0.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEU and XLP, 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

	VEU	XLP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	0.36	+1.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.46	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.49	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.44	-0.19

Drawdowns

VEU vs. XLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEU drawdown since its inception was -61.52%, which is greater than XLP's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEU and XLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEU	XLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.52%	-35.90%	-25.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.43%	-9.69%	-1.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.69%	-12.39%	-1.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.31%	-16.30%	-13.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.98%	-24.51%	-10.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.69%	-7.19%	+3.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.13%	-7.06%	-6.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	4.97%	-2.01%

Volatility

VEU vs. XLP - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) has a higher volatility of 6.07% compared to State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) at 4.30%. This indicates that VEU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEU	XLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.07%	4.30%	+1.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.65%	9.97%	+3.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.80%	12.75%	+3.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.16%	13.31%	+2.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.25%	14.74%	+2.51%

VEU vs. XLP - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEU has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than XLP's 0.08% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VEU vs. XLP - Dividend Comparison

VEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.68%, more than XLP's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF	2.68%	3.09%	3.24%	3.32%	3.12%	3.08%	2.00%	3.10%	3.27%	2.66%	2.96%	2.95%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.62%	2.75%	2.77%	2.63%	2.47%	2.28%	2.50%	2.57%	3.04%	2.62%	2.53%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEU and XLP in my portfolio?

VEU and XLP have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEU or XLP?

VEU has higher volatility (6.07%) compared to XLP (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEU dropped -61.52% vs XLP's -35.90%.

Which ETF is better, VEU or XLP?

On 10-year performance, VEU leads with 9.86% vs 7.21% for XLP. On fees, VEU is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, XLP has been the lower-risk option at 4.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEU or XLP?

Over the 10-year period, VEU has performed better with a 9.86% return vs 7.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEU or XLP?

VEU is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VEU or XLP?

VEU has the higher dividend yield at 2.68%, compared with 2.62% for XLP.

What is the main difference between VEU and XLP?

VEU is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while XLP is Consumer Staples Equities. VEU tracks FTSE All-World ex US Index, while XLP tracks Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VEU and 0.08% for XLP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 0.36), 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.