VFH vs. XLRE

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH) and Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE).

VFH and XLRE are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VFH is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Financials 25/50 Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004. XLRE is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Real Estate Select Sector Index. It was launched on Oct 7, 2015. Both VFH and XLRE are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

VFH vs. XLRE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH) and Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VFH vs. XLRE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFH Vanguard Financials ETF	-9.19%	14.91%	30.44%	14.17%	-12.31%	35.22%	-1.96%	31.57%	-13.52%	19.99%
XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund	2.17%	2.63%	5.09%	12.36%	-26.25%	46.10%	-2.18%	28.68%	-2.39%	10.69%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFH achieves a -9.19% return, which is significantly lower than XLRE's 2.17% return. Over the past 10 years, VFH has outperformed XLRE with an annualized return of 12.30%, while XLRE has yielded a comparatively lower 5.98% annualized return.

VFH

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: -3.54%
• YTD: -9.19%
• 6M: -6.32%
• 1Y: 2.78%
• 3Y*: 17.95%
• 5Y*: 9.33%
• 10Y*: 12.30%

XLRE

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: -6.14%
• YTD: 2.17%
• 6M: -1.08%
• 1Y: 1.18%
• 3Y*: 6.70%
• 5Y*: 3.78%
• 10Y*: 5.98%

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

VFH vs. XLRE - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFH has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than XLRE's 0.13% 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%.

XLRE

Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund

VFH

Vanguard Financials ETF

Return for Risk

VFH vs. XLRE — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFH

VFH Risk / Return Rank: 15
VFH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
VFH Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
VFH Omega Ratio Rank: 15
VFH Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
VFH Martin Ratio Rank: 16

XLRE

XLRE Risk / Return Rank: 13
XLRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
XLRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
XLRE Omega Ratio Rank: 12
XLRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
XLRE 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.

VFH vs. XLRE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH) and Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE). 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.

	VFH	XLRE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.14	0.07	+0.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.32	0.21	+0.11
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.03	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.18	0.11	+0.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.54	0.37	+0.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFH vs. XLRE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFH Sharpe Ratio is 0.14, which is higher than the XLRE Sharpe Ratio of 0.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFH and XLRE, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VFH	XLRE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14	0.07	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.20	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.29	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.32	-0.09

Correlation

The correlation between VFH and XLRE is 0.46, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

VFH vs. XLRE - Dividend Comparison

VFH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, less than XLRE's 3.42% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFH Vanguard Financials ETF	1.61%	1.55%	1.75%	2.08%	2.31%	1.87%	2.21%	2.17%	2.30%	1.53%	1.63%	2.00%
XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund	3.42%	3.45%	3.43%	3.31%	3.70%	2.61%	3.15%	3.06%	3.78%	3.25%	4.22%	1.09%

Drawdowns

VFH vs. XLRE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFH drawdown since its inception was -78.61%, which is greater than XLRE's maximum drawdown of -38.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFH and XLRE.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFH	XLRE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.61%	-38.83%	-39.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.75%	-11.88%	-2.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.66%	-34.12%	+8.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.42%	-38.83%	-5.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.95%	-8.69%	-3.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.62%	-9.72%	-8.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.99%	3.39%	+1.60%

Volatility

VFH vs. XLRE - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH) and Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) have volatilities of 4.85% and 4.66%, 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

	VFH	XLRE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.85%	4.66%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.75%	9.62%	+2.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.93%	16.32%	+3.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.37%	19.04%	+0.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.55%	20.40%	+2.15%