VMIAX vs. XLB
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Materials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMIAX) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB).
VMIAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Feb 11, 2004. XLB is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Materials Select Sector Index. It was launched on Dec 16, 1998.
Performance
VMIAX vs. XLB - Performance Comparison
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VMIAX vs. XLB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VMIAX Vanguard Materials Index Fund Admiral Shares | 6.53% | 12.26% | 0.45% | 13.69% | -11.77% | 27.15% | 19.37% | 23.59% | -17.38% | 23.68% |
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 10.68% | 9.94% | 0.15% | 12.46% | -12.30% | 27.44% | 20.46% | 24.13% | -14.88% | 24.01% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VMIAX achieves a 6.53% return, which is significantly lower than XLB's 10.68% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VMIAX having a 10.28% annualized return and XLB not far ahead at 10.45%.
VMIAX
- 1D
- 0.18%
- 1M
- -9.44%
- YTD
- 6.53%
- 6M
- 8.30%
- 1Y
- 18.48%
- 3Y*
- 9.17%
- 5Y*
- 6.78%
- 10Y*
- 10.28%
XLB
- 1D
- 1.79%
- 1M
- -6.02%
- YTD
- 10.68%
- 6M
- 12.59%
- 1Y
- 18.51%
- 3Y*
- 9.53%
- 5Y*
- 6.79%
- 10Y*
- 10.45%
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VMIAX vs. XLB - Expense Ratio Comparison
VMIAX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than XLB's 0.13% 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%.
Return for Risk
VMIAX vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank
VMIAX
XLB
VMIAX vs. XLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Materials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMIAX) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). 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.
| VMIAX | XLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.92 | 0.89 | +0.03 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.41 | 1.38 | +0.03 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.18 | 0.00 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.20 | 1.35 | -0.16 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.14 | 4.72 | -0.58 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VMIAX | XLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.92 | 0.89 | +0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.35 | 0.36 | -0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.49 | 0.51 | -0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.38 | 0.36 | +0.02 |
Correlation
The correlation between VMIAX and XLB is 0.98, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
VMIAX vs. XLB - Dividend Comparison
VMIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, less than XLB's 1.75% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VMIAX Vanguard Materials Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.45% | 1.56% | 1.70% | 1.72% | 1.98% | 1.33% | 1.67% | 1.94% | 2.02% | 1.63% | 1.73% | 2.31% |
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 1.75% | 1.92% | 1.92% | 2.00% | 2.26% | 1.62% | 1.72% | 1.98% | 2.20% | 1.66% | 1.95% | 2.24% |
Drawdowns
VMIAX vs. XLB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VMIAX drawdown since its inception was -62.17%, roughly equal to the maximum XLB drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMIAX and XLB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VMIAX | XLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.17% | -59.83% | -2.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.30% | -14.64% | +0.34% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.45% | -24.72% | -0.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.02% | -37.27% | -3.75% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.44% | -6.39% | -3.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.67% | -10.88% | +1.21% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.13% | 4.20% | -0.07% |
Volatility
VMIAX vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Materials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMIAX) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) have volatilities of 6.44% and 6.28%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VMIAX | XLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.44% | 6.28% | +0.16% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.15% | 12.53% | +0.62% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.35% | 20.95% | +0.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.59% | 18.91% | +0.68% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.15% | 20.62% | +0.53% |