VLU vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VLU (SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VLU is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S&P 1500 Low Valuation Tilt Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VLU returned 13.99%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VLU charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

VLU vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU) 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, VLU achieves a 12.99% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, VLU has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 13.99%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.15% annualized return.

VLU

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: 3.04%
• YTD: 12.99%
• 6M: 13.61%
• 1Y: 29.22%
• 3Y*: 20.61%
• 5Y*: 11.91%
• 10Y*: 13.99%

XLU

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: -5.74%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 9.11%
• 3Y*: 13.74%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: 9.15%

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

VLU vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLU SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF	12.99%	16.70%	17.24%	17.18%	-8.24%	30.95%	9.91%	26.20%	-7.89%	18.16%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.11%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between VLU and XLU is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2012	0.29

The correlation between VLU and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.29 (all time) to 0.46 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VLU vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VLU	XLU
Financial Services	18.8%	-
Technology	17.8%	-
Healthcare	11.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	-
Communication Services	8.8%	-
Industrials	8.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	-
Energy	7.2%	-
Utilities	3.6%	100.0%
Real Estate	3.4%	-
Basic Materials	2.6%	-

Return for Risk

VLU vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

VLU

VLU Risk / Return Rank: 83
VLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VLU Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
VLU Martin Ratio Rank: 86

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 19
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

VLU vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU) 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.

	VLU	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.70	0.63	+2.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	0.94	+2.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.12	+0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.63	1.00	+3.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.56	2.24	+16.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VLU vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLU Sharpe Ratio is 2.70, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLU 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

	VLU	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.70	0.63	+2.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.54	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.48	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.40	+0.42

Drawdowns

VLU vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLU drawdown since its inception was -37.39%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLU and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLU	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.39%	-51.98%	+14.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.34%	-9.18%	+2.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.22%	-17.26%	+1.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.55%	-25.26%	+5.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.39%	-36.07%	-1.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.49%	-7.78%	+7.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.74%	-10.22%	+6.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.58%	4.09%	-2.51%

Volatility

VLU vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU) is 2.25%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that VLU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLU	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.25%	5.41%	-3.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.70%	11.53%	-3.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.90%	14.57%	-3.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.40%	17.32%	-1.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.09%	19.26%	-1.17%

VLU vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

VLU has a 0.12% 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

VLU vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

VLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%, less than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VLU SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF	1.62%	1.82%	2.00%	2.02%	2.16%	1.86%	1.98%	2.19%	2.57%	1.96%	2.14%	6.37%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.72%	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 VLU and XLU in my portfolio?

VLU and XLU have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VLU or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to VLU (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLU dropped -37.39% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, VLU or XLU?

On 10-year performance, VLU leads with 13.99% vs 9.15% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, VLU has been the lower-risk option at 2.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VLU or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, VLU has performed better with a 13.99% return vs 9.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VLU or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for VLU.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 1.62% for VLU.

What is the main difference between VLU and XLU?

VLU is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. VLU tracks S&P 1500 Low Valuation Tilt Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for VLU and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 0.63), 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.