VTI vs. XLP

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while XLP is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 15.23%/yr vs 7.58%/yr for XLP. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTI charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLP.

Performance

VTI vs. XLP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTI achieves a 11.46% return, which is significantly higher than XLP's 10.66% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has outperformed XLP with an annualized return of 15.23%, while XLP has yielded a comparatively lower 7.58% annualized return.

VTI

• 1D: 1.68%
• 1M: 2.70%
• YTD: 11.46%
• 6M: 11.76%
• 1Y: 28.40%
• 3Y*: 20.94%
• 5Y*: 12.71%
• 10Y*: 15.23%

XLP

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: 10.66%
• 6M: 8.80%
• 1Y: 8.50%
• 3Y*: 7.50%
• 5Y*: 6.92%
• 10Y*: 7.58%

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

VTI vs. XLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.46%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	10.66%	1.52%	12.20%	-0.82%	-0.81%	17.20%	10.11%	27.43%	-8.07%	12.98%

Correlation

The correlation between VTI and XLP is 0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2001	0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between VTI and XLP has dropped to 0.02 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VTI vs. XLP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTI	XLP
Technology	33.3%	-
Financial Services	11.9%	-
Communication Services	10.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	1.0%
Industrials	9.5%	-
Healthcare	9.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	99.0%
Energy	3.8%	-
Utilities	2.7%	-
Real Estate	2.4%	-
Basic Materials	2.0%	-

Return for Risk

VTI vs. XLP — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 77
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 81

XLP

XLP Risk / Return Rank: 20
XLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
XLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
XLP Omega Ratio Rank: 19
XLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
XLP Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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. XLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). 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	XLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.25	0.67	+1.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	1.04	+2.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.12	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.20	0.88	+2.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.35	1.70	+12.65

VTI vs. XLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTI Sharpe Ratio is 2.25, which is higher than the XLP Sharpe Ratio of 0.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTI and XLP, 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. XLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, which is greater than XLP's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and XLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTI	XLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.45%	-35.90%	-19.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-9.69%	+0.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-12.39%	-6.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	-16.30%	-9.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.00%	-24.51%	-10.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.49%	-4.50%	+4.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-7.06%	-0.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	5.02%	-3.04%

Volatility

VTI vs. XLP - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) have volatilities of 4.74% and 4.55%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	VTI	XLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.74%	4.55%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.94%	10.13%	-0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.69%	12.85%	-0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.49%	13.34%	+4.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.34%	14.75%	+3.59%

VTI vs. XLP - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTI has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than XLP'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

VTI vs. XLP - Dividend Comparison

VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, less than XLP's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.54%	2.75%	2.77%	2.63%	2.47%	2.28%	2.50%	2.57%	3.04%	2.62%	2.53%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTI and XLP in my portfolio?

VTI and XLP have a correlation of 0.02, 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 XLP?

VTI has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to XLP (4.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs XLP's -35.90%.

Which ETF is better, VTI or XLP?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.23% vs 7.58% for XLP. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, XLP has been the lower-risk option at 4.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTI or XLP?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.23% return vs 7.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTI or XLP?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLP.

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

XLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.54%, compared with 1.01% for VTI.

What is the main difference between VTI and XLP?

VTI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while XLP is Consumer Staples Equities. VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, while XLP tracks Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTI and 0.08% for XLP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 0.67), 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.