VTI vs. XAR

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while XAR is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 14.93%/yr vs 18.55%/yr for XAR. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTI charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XAR.

Performance

VTI vs. XAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTI achieves a 9.00% return, which is significantly lower than XAR's 17.94% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has underperformed XAR with an annualized return of 14.93%, while XAR has yielded a comparatively higher 18.55% annualized return.

VTI

• 1D: 1.75%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 9.00%
• 6M: 7.83%
• 1Y: 24.47%
• 3Y*: 20.67%
• 5Y*: 12.08%
• 10Y*: 14.93%

XAR

• 1D: 6.62%
• 1M: 5.95%
• YTD: 17.94%
• 6M: 18.96%
• 1Y: 43.77%
• 3Y*: 34.21%
• 5Y*: 16.94%
• 10Y*: 18.55%

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

VTI vs. XAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	9.00%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	17.94%	46.15%	23.32%	23.79%	-5.02%	2.31%	6.18%	39.33%	-4.58%	33.00%

Correlation

The correlation between VTI and XAR is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2011	0.70

The correlation between VTI and XAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTI vs. XAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTI	XAR
Technology	33.5%	0.8%
Financial Services	12.0%	-
Communication Services	10.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	-
Industrials	9.8%	99.1%
Healthcare	9.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	-
Energy	3.7%	-
Real Estate	2.4%	-
Utilities	2.3%	-
Basic Materials	2.0%	-

Return for Risk

VTI vs. XAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

XAR

XAR Risk / Return Rank: 56
XAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
XAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
XAR Omega Ratio Rank: 50
XAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
XAR Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

VTI vs. XAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). 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.

	VTI	XAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	1.58	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	2.29	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.26	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	2.55	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.38	7.17	+5.21

VTI vs. XAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTI Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the XAR Sharpe Ratio of 1.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTI and XAR, 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

VTI vs. XAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, which is greater than XAR's maximum drawdown of -46.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and XAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTI	XAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.45%	-46.37%	-9.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-17.22%	+8.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-19.73%	+0.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	-32.40%	+7.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.00%	-46.37%	+11.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.69%	-2.81%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-6.78%	-1.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	6.12%	-4.14%

Volatility

VTI vs. XAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is 4.49%, while SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) has a volatility of 11.32%. This indicates that VTI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTI	XAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	11.32%	-6.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.83%	23.52%	-13.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.63%	27.80%	-15.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.47%	23.66%	-6.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.33%	24.74%	-6.41%

VTI vs. XAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTI has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than XAR's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTI vs. XAR - Dividend Comparison

VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, more than XAR's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.03%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.31%	0.40%	0.66%	0.54%	0.50%	0.83%	0.63%	0.75%	1.19%	0.76%	1.09%	2.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTI and XAR in my portfolio?

VTI and XAR have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTI or XAR?

XAR has higher volatility (11.32%) compared to VTI (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs XAR's -46.37%.

Which ETF is better, VTI or XAR?

On 10-year performance, XAR leads with 18.55% vs 14.93% for VTI. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 4.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTI or XAR?

Over the 10-year period, XAR has performed better with a 18.55% return vs 14.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTI or XAR?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTI or XAR?

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.31% for XAR.

What is the main difference between VTI and XAR?

VTI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while XAR is Aerospace & Defense. VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, while XAR tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTI and 0.35% for XAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.58), 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.