VFLO vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VFLO (Victoryshares Free Cash Flow ETF) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VFLO is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Victory U.S. Large Cap Free Cash Flow Index, while XLF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VFLO returned 35.01% vs 2.91% for XLF. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VFLO charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.

Performance

VFLO vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Victoryshares Free Cash Flow ETF (VFLO) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFLO achieves a 17.47% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -4.62% return.

VFLO

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 17.47%
• 6M: 18.46%
• 1Y: 35.01%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLF

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: 1.42%
• YTD: -4.62%
• 6M: -1.98%
• 1Y: 2.91%
• 3Y*: 18.06%
• 5Y*: 8.47%
• 10Y*: 12.79%

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

VFLO vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VFLO Victoryshares Free Cash Flow ETF	17.47%	17.51%	21.83%	15.05%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-4.62%	14.90%	30.56%	14.53%

Correlation

The correlation between VFLO and XLF is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2023	0.66

The correlation between VFLO and XLF shifts across timeframes, from 0.55 (1 year) to 0.66 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VFLO vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFLO	XLF
Technology	38.4%	1.8%
Healthcare	17.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	17.2%	-
Energy	12.2%	-
Communication Services	4.7%	-
Basic Materials	4.3%	-
Industrials	3.4%	0.2%
Utilities	1.7%	-
Financial Services	0.0%	98.0%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	-
Real Estate	0.0%	-

Return for Risk

VFLO vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFLO

VFLO Risk / Return Rank: 85
VFLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
VFLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
VFLO Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VFLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VFLO Martin Ratio Rank: 92

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 12
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 12
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

VFLO vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Victoryshares Free Cash Flow ETF (VFLO) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). 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.

	VFLO	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	0.20	+2.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	0.37	+2.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.05	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.06	0.20	+6.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.90	0.51	+20.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFLO vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFLO Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is higher than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFLO and XLF, 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

	VFLO	XLF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	0.20	+2.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.46	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.56	0.21	+1.35

Drawdowns

VFLO vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFLO drawdown since its inception was -17.79%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFLO and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFLO	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.79%	-82.69%	+64.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.98%	-14.79%	+9.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.54%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.81%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.21%	-7.38%	+3.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.42%	-20.02%	+17.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.68%	5.71%	-4.03%

Volatility

VFLO vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

Victoryshares Free Cash Flow ETF (VFLO) has a higher volatility of 6.90% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 4.20%. This indicates that VFLO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFLO	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.90%	4.20%	+2.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.45%	11.18%	+0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.30%	14.61%	+0.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.00%	18.66%	-2.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.00%	22.18%	-6.18%

VFLO vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFLO has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than XLF's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFLO vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

VFLO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.21%, less than XLF's 1.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFLO Victoryshares Free Cash Flow ETF	1.21%	1.60%	1.20%	0.71%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.52%	1.31%	1.42%	1.71%	2.04%	1.63%	2.03%	1.87%	2.08%	1.48%	21.10%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFLO and XLF in my portfolio?

VFLO and XLF have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFLO or XLF?

VFLO has higher volatility (6.90%) compared to XLF (4.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFLO dropped -17.79% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which ETF is better, VFLO or XLF?

On 1-year performance, VFLO leads with 35.01% vs 2.91% for XLF. On fees, XLF is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLF has been the lower-risk option at 4.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VFLO or XLF?

Over the 1-year period, VFLO has performed better with a 35.01% return vs 2.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VFLO or XLF?

XLF is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for VFLO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VFLO or XLF?

XLF has the higher dividend yield at 1.52%, compared with 1.21% for VFLO.

What is the main difference between VFLO and XLF?

VFLO is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while XLF is Financials Equities. VFLO tracks Victory U.S. Large Cap Free Cash Flow Index, while XLF tracks Financial Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Victory and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for VFLO and 0.08% for XLF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFLO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 0.20), 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.