VHT vs. XLV

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) and XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - VHT tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index while XLV tracks the Health Care Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VHT returned 9.66%/yr vs 9.65%/yr for XLV. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VHT charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLV.

Performance

VHT vs. XLV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VHT achieves a -1.21% return, which is significantly lower than XLV's -0.98% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VHT having a 9.66% annualized return and XLV not far behind at 9.65%.

VHT

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 5.33%
• YTD: -1.21%
• 6M: 0.70%
• 1Y: 16.43%
• 3Y*: 7.21%
• 5Y*: 4.80%
• 10Y*: 9.66%

XLV

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 6.38%
• YTD: -0.98%
• 6M: 1.65%
• 1Y: 15.62%
• 3Y*: 7.16%
• 5Y*: 6.05%
• 10Y*: 9.65%

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

VHT vs. XLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	-1.21%	15.46%	2.66%	2.52%	-5.60%	20.57%	18.29%	21.87%	5.58%	23.26%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	-0.98%	14.50%	2.47%	2.07%	-2.08%	26.04%	13.30%	20.45%	6.28%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between VHT and XLV is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.97

The correlation between VHT and XLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

VHT vs. XLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VHT	XLV
Healthcare	100.0%	100.0%
Financial Services	0.0%	-
Industrials	0.0%	-
Technology	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VHT vs. XLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

VHT

VHT Risk / Return Rank: 34
VHT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VHT Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
VHT Omega Ratio Rank: 33
VHT Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
VHT Martin Ratio Rank: 30

XLV

XLV Risk / Return Rank: 32
XLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
XLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
XLV Omega Ratio Rank: 31
XLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
XLV Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

VHT vs. XLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV). 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.

	VHT	XLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	1.05	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.77	1.68	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.19	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.59	1.50	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.95	3.60	+0.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VHT vs. XLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHT Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is comparable to the XLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHT and XLV, 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

	VHT	XLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.13	1.05	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.41	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.58	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.46	+0.10

Drawdowns

VHT vs. XLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHT drawdown since its inception was -39.12%, roughly equal to the maximum XLV drawdown of -39.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHT and XLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VHT	XLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.12%	-39.17%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.40%	-10.47%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.91%	-17.11%	+0.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.71%	-17.11%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.85%	-28.40%	-0.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.34%	-4.32%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.99%	-7.12%	+1.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.17%	4.35%	-0.18%

Volatility

VHT vs. XLV - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) have volatilities of 4.90% and 5.02%, 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

	VHT	XLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.90%	5.02%	-0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.45%	10.66%	-0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.64%	14.99%	-0.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.02%	14.76%	+0.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.97%	16.58%	+0.39%

VHT vs. XLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VHT has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than XLV'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

VHT vs. XLV - Dividend Comparison

VHT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, more than XLV's 1.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	1.66%	1.61%	1.53%	1.36%	1.33%	1.14%	1.21%	1.89%	1.38%	1.31%	1.45%	1.22%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.64%	1.60%	1.67%	1.59%	1.47%	1.33%	1.49%	2.17%	1.57%	1.47%	1.60%	1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VHT and XLV in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, VHT and XLV move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VHT or XLV?

XLV has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to VHT (4.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHT dropped -39.12% vs XLV's -39.17%.

Which ETF is better, VHT or XLV?

On 10-year performance, VHT leads with 9.66% vs 9.65% for XLV. On fees, XLV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, VHT has been the lower-risk option at 4.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VHT or XLV?

Over the 10-year period, VHT has performed better with a 9.66% return vs 9.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VHT or XLV?

XLV is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for VHT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VHT or XLV?

VHT has the higher dividend yield at 1.66%, compared with 1.64% for XLV.

What is the main difference between VHT and XLV?

VHT tracks MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index, while XLV tracks Health Care Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VHT and 0.08% for XLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VHT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.13 vs 1.05), 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.