VGT vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGT returned 25.14%/yr vs 8.99%/yr for XLU. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VGT charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

VGT vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGT achieves a 24.57% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 2.66% return. Over the past 10 years, VGT has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 25.14%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 8.99% annualized return.

VGT

• 1D: 1.71%
• 1M: 4.28%
• YTD: 24.57%
• 6M: 21.33%
• 1Y: 50.38%
• 3Y*: 31.24%
• 5Y*: 20.82%
• 10Y*: 25.14%

XLU

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: -2.68%
• YTD: 2.66%
• 6M: 3.35%
• 1Y: 10.26%
• 3Y*: 12.85%
• 5Y*: 9.10%
• 10Y*: 8.99%

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

VGT vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	24.57%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.66%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between VGT and XLU is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.34

Over the past year, the correlation between VGT and XLU has dropped to 0.04 - well below their long-term average of 0.34, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VGT vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VGT	XLU
Technology	98.5%	-
Communication Services	0.5%	-
Financial Services	0.5%	-
Industrials	0.4%	-
Energy	0.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	0.0%	-
Healthcare	0.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

VGT vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 71
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 60

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 22
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

VGT vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.

	VGT	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	0.71	+1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	1.04	+1.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.13	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	1.12	+1.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.77	2.47	+7.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGT vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGT Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGT and XLU, 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

	VGT	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	0.71	+1.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.53	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.02	0.47	+0.55
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.40	+0.27

Drawdowns

VGT vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGT drawdown since its inception was -54.63%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGT and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGT	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.63%	-51.98%	-2.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.40%	-9.18%	-7.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.23%	-17.26%	-9.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.07%	-25.26%	-9.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.07%	-36.07%	+1.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.77%	-8.18%	+1.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.95%	-10.22%	+2.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.17%	4.16%	+1.01%

Volatility

VGT vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has a higher volatility of 9.39% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.60%. This indicates that VGT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGT	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.39%	5.60%	+3.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.44%	11.70%	+5.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.58%	14.64%	+6.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.33%	17.34%	+7.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.69%	19.27%	+5.42%

VGT vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGT has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VGT vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

VGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%, less than XLU's 2.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.33%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.73%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGT and XLU in my portfolio?

VGT and XLU have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGT or XLU?

VGT has higher volatility (9.39%) compared to XLU (5.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGT dropped -54.63% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, VGT or XLU?

On 10-year performance, VGT leads with 25.14% vs 8.99% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VGT or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, VGT has performed better with a 25.14% return vs 8.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VGT or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for VGT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VGT or XLU?

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.73%, compared with 0.33% for VGT.

What is the main difference between VGT and XLU?

VGT is categorized as Technology Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. VGT tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VGT and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 0.70), 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.