VOOG vs. XLV

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VOOG (Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF) and XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOOG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index, while XLV is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Health Care Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOOG returned 17.80%/yr vs 9.65%/yr for XLV. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VOOG charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLV.

Performance

VOOG vs. XLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) 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, VOOG achieves a 10.10% return, which is significantly higher than XLV's -0.98% return. Over the past 10 years, VOOG has outperformed XLV with an annualized return of 17.80%, while XLV has yielded a comparatively lower 9.65% annualized return.

VOOG

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -0.20%
• YTD: 10.10%
• 6M: 9.55%
• 1Y: 29.06%
• 3Y*: 26.66%
• 5Y*: 15.20%
• 10Y*: 17.80%

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)

VOOG vs. XLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF	10.10%	22.11%	35.89%	29.96%	-29.48%	31.95%	33.35%	30.93%	-0.21%	27.19%
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 VOOG and XLV is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.67

Over the past year, the correlation between VOOG and XLV has dropped to 0.16 - well below their long-term average of 0.67, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VOOG vs. XLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOOG	XLV
Technology	49.4%	-
Communication Services	18.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	-
Financial Services	8.8%	-
Industrials	6.2%	-
Healthcare	5.8%	100.0%
Consumer Defensive	1.0%	-
Real Estate	0.6%	-
Utilities	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	0.4%	-
Energy	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

VOOG vs. XLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOOG

VOOG Risk / Return Rank: 55
VOOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VOOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VOOG Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VOOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VOOG Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

VOOG vs. XLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) 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.

	VOOG	XLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.05	+0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	1.68	+0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.19	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	1.50	+0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.74	3.60	+5.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOOG vs. XLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOOG Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is higher than the XLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOOG 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

	VOOG	XLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	1.05	+0.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.41	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.58	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.46	+0.43

Drawdowns

VOOG vs. XLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOOG drawdown since its inception was -32.73%, smaller than the maximum XLV drawdown of -39.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOOG and XLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOOG	XLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.73%	-39.17%	+6.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.71%	-10.47%	-3.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.18%	-17.11%	-5.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.73%	-17.11%	-15.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.73%	-28.40%	-4.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.28%	-4.32%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.97%	-7.12%	+2.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.33%	4.35%	-1.02%

Volatility

VOOG vs. XLV - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) has a higher volatility of 5.61% compared to State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) at 5.02%. This indicates that VOOG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOOG	XLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.61%	5.02%	+0.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.04%	10.66%	+2.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.31%	14.99%	+1.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.25%	14.76%	+6.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.77%	16.58%	+4.19%

VOOG vs. XLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOOG has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than XLV'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

VOOG vs. XLV - Dividend Comparison

VOOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than XLV's 1.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.45%	0.49%	0.49%	1.12%	0.93%	0.53%	0.88%	1.26%	1.34%	1.32%	1.47%	1.56%
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 VOOG and XLV in my portfolio?

VOOG and XLV have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOOG or XLV?

VOOG has higher volatility (5.61%) compared to XLV (5.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOOG dropped -32.73% vs XLV's -39.17%.

Which ETF is better, VOOG or XLV?

On 10-year performance, VOOG leads with 17.80% vs 9.65% for XLV. On fees, VOOG is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, XLV has been the lower-risk option at 5.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOOG or XLV?

Over the 10-year period, VOOG has performed better with a 17.80% return vs 9.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOOG or XLV?

VOOG is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLV.

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

XLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.64%, compared with 0.45% for VOOG.

What is the main difference between VOOG and XLV?

VOOG is categorized as S&P 500, while XLV is Health & Biotech Equities. VOOG tracks S&P 500 Growth Index, while XLV tracks Health Care Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VOOG and 0.08% for XLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOOG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 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.