VONG vs. XLI

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VONG (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF) and XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VONG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index, while XLI is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Industrial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VONG returned 18.32%/yr vs 13.86%/yr for XLI. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VONG charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLI.

Performance

VONG vs. XLI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) and Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VONG achieves a 4.12% return, which is significantly lower than XLI's 12.25% return. Over the past 10 years, VONG has outperformed XLI with an annualized return of 18.32%, while XLI has yielded a comparatively lower 13.86% annualized return.

VONG

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -0.46%
• YTD: 4.12%
• 6M: 3.06%
• 1Y: 21.24%
• 3Y*: 23.77%
• 5Y*: 14.57%
• 10Y*: 18.32%

XLI

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 12.25%
• 6M: 13.16%
• 1Y: 21.42%
• 3Y*: 21.04%
• 5Y*: 12.54%
• 10Y*: 13.86%

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

VONG vs. XLI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	4.12%	18.45%	33.20%	42.67%	-29.18%	27.60%	38.30%	36.06%	-1.53%	30.05%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	12.25%	19.35%	17.31%	18.13%	-5.57%	21.08%	10.91%	29.08%	-13.25%	23.98%

Correlation

The correlation between VONG and XLI is 0.51, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.72

Over the past year, the correlation between VONG and XLI has dropped to 0.51 - well below their long-term average of 0.72, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VONG vs. XLI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VONG	XLI
Technology	51.4%	4.0%
Communication Services	13.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	13.2%	0.5%
Healthcare	7.1%	-
Industrials	5.7%	90.7%
Financial Services	5.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	-
Real Estate	0.4%	-
Energy	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	0.3%	-
Utilities	0.3%	4.8%

Return for Risk

VONG vs. XLI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VONG

VONG Risk / Return Rank: 37
VONG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VONG Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
VONG Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VONG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VONG Martin Ratio Rank: 32

XLI

XLI Risk / Return Rank: 43
XLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
XLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
XLI Omega Ratio Rank: 40
XLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
XLI Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

VONG vs. XLI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) and Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI). 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.

	VONG	XLI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	1.39	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	2.06	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.24	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.31	1.76	-0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.39	6.97	-2.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VONG vs. XLI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VONG Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is comparable to the XLI Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VONG and XLI, 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

	VONG	XLI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	1.39	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.72	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.70	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.45	+0.43

Drawdowns

VONG vs. XLI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VONG drawdown since its inception was -32.72%, smaller than the maximum XLI drawdown of -62.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VONG and XLI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VONG	XLI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.72%	-62.26%	+29.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.23%	-12.21%	-4.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.27%	-18.49%	-4.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.72%	-21.64%	-11.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.72%	-42.33%	+9.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.47%	-2.67%	-1.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.88%	-9.20%	+4.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.85%	3.08%	+1.77%

Volatility

VONG vs. XLI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) has a higher volatility of 4.78% compared to Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) at 3.98%. This indicates that VONG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VONG	XLI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.78%	3.98%	+0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.08%	12.84%	-0.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.71%	15.47%	+0.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.38%	17.43%	+3.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.90%	19.99%	+0.91%

VONG vs. XLI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VONG has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than XLI'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

VONG vs. XLI - Dividend Comparison

VONG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less than XLI's 1.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.44%	0.45%	0.55%	0.71%	0.98%	0.58%	0.77%	1.03%	1.18%	1.19%	1.48%	1.47%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.18%	1.29%	1.44%	1.63%	1.63%	1.25%	1.55%	1.94%	2.15%	1.77%	2.07%	2.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VONG and XLI in my portfolio?

VONG and XLI have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VONG or XLI?

VONG has higher volatility (4.78%) compared to XLI (3.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VONG dropped -32.72% vs XLI's -62.26%.

Which ETF is better, VONG or XLI?

On 10-year performance, VONG leads with 18.32% vs 13.86% for XLI. On fees, VONG is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, XLI has been the lower-risk option at 3.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VONG or XLI?

Over the 10-year period, VONG has performed better with a 18.32% return vs 13.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VONG or XLI?

VONG is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VONG or XLI?

XLI has the higher dividend yield at 1.18%, compared with 0.44% for VONG.

What is the main difference between VONG and XLI?

VONG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while XLI is Industrials Equities. VONG tracks Russell 1000 Growth Index, while XLI tracks Industrial Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VONG and 0.08% for XLI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.39 vs 1.36), 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.