VIGAX vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VIGAX (Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both funds - VIGAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIGAX returned 17.87%/yr vs 9.20%/yr for XLU. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VIGAX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

VIGAX vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VIGAX having a 4.85% return and XLU slightly higher at 5.04%. Over the past 10 years, VIGAX has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 17.87%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.20% annualized return.

VIGAX

• 1D: 1.82%
• 1M: -2.66%
• YTD: 4.85%
• 6M: 5.52%
• 1Y: 21.03%
• 3Y*: 23.61%
• 5Y*: 13.73%
• 10Y*: 17.87%

XLU

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: -0.31%
• YTD: 5.04%
• 6M: 5.48%
• 1Y: 11.85%
• 3Y*: 13.79%
• 5Y*: 9.41%
• 10Y*: 9.20%

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

VIGAX vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.85%	19.43%	32.67%	46.76%	-33.14%	27.26%	40.18%	37.23%	-3.35%	27.80%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	5.04%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between VIGAX 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	0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000	0.42

Over the past year, the correlation between VIGAX and XLU has dropped to 0.04 - well below their long-term average of 0.42, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VIGAX vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VIGAX	XLU
Technology	53.5%	-
Communication Services	17.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	-
Healthcare	4.6%	-
Financial Services	4.3%	-
Industrials	3.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	-
Real Estate	1.0%	-
Utilities	0.9%	100.0%
Basic Materials	0.6%	-
Energy	0.4%	-

Return for Risk

VIGAX vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIGAX

VIGAX Risk / Return Rank: 27
VIGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
VIGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VIGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VIGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
VIGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 26
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

VIGAX vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VIGAX	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	0.81	+0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.78	1.18	+0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.15	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.29	1.30	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.48	2.80	+1.69

VIGAX vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIGAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIGAX 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.

Drawdowns

VIGAX vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIGAX drawdown since its inception was -50.66%, roughly equal to the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIGAX and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIGAX	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.66%	-51.98%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.51%	-9.18%	-7.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.04%	-17.26%	-5.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.63%	-25.26%	-10.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.63%	-36.07%	+0.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.66%	-6.05%	+0.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.95%	-10.22%	-1.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.75%	4.25%	+0.50%

Volatility

VIGAX vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) has a higher volatility of 5.91% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.59%. This indicates that VIGAX'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

	VIGAX	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.91%	5.59%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.06%	11.68%	+1.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.55%	14.66%	+1.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.44%	17.34%	+5.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.63%	19.27%	+2.36%

VIGAX vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIGAX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than XLU'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

VIGAX vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

VIGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than XLU's 2.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.38%	0.40%	0.46%	0.57%	0.69%	0.47%	0.66%	0.94%	1.31%	1.14%	1.39%	1.31%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.67%	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 VIGAX and XLU in my portfolio?

VIGAX 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, VIGAX or XLU?

VIGAX has higher volatility (5.91%) compared to XLU (5.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIGAX dropped -50.66% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.29 vs 0.81), 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.