VTV vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VTV (Vanguard Value ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Value Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTV returned 12.42%/yr vs 8.99%/yr for XLU. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTV charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

VTV vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTV achieves a 11.91% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 2.66% return. Over the past 10 years, VTV has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 12.42%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 8.99% annualized return.

VTV

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: 11.91%
• 6M: 13.41%
• 1Y: 25.49%
• 3Y*: 17.72%
• 5Y*: 11.30%
• 10Y*: 12.42%

XLU

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: -2.68%
• YTD: 2.66%
• 6M: 3.35%
• 1Y: 10.26%
• 3Y*: 12.85%
• 5Y*: 9.10%
• 10Y*: 8.99%

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

VTV vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTV Vanguard Value ETF	11.91%	15.27%	15.95%	9.32%	-2.09%	26.53%	2.33%	25.66%	-5.47%	17.15%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.66%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between VTV and XLU is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.55

The correlation between VTV and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (1 year) to 0.55 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VTV vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTV	XLU
Financial Services	22.3%	-
Healthcare	14.5%	-
Industrials	14.0%	-
Technology	13.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	9.4%	-
Energy	8.1%	-
Utilities	5.2%	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	-
Communication Services	3.3%	-
Basic Materials	3.1%	-
Real Estate	2.8%	-

Return for Risk

VTV vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTV

VTV Risk / Return Rank: 84
VTV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VTV Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
VTV Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VTV Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
VTV Martin Ratio Rank: 83

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 22
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

VTV vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.

	VTV	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	0.71	+1.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.58	1.04	+2.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.13	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.03	1.12	+2.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.20	2.47	+12.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTV vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTV Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTV and XLU, 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

	VTV	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	0.71	+1.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.53	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.47	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.40	+0.11

Drawdowns

VTV vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTV drawdown since its inception was -59.27%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTV and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTV	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.27%	-51.98%	-7.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.35%	-9.18%	+2.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.52%	-17.26%	+2.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.04%	-25.26%	+8.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.78%	-36.07%	-0.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.11%	-8.18%	+7.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.87%	-10.22%	+2.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.68%	4.16%	-2.48%

Volatility

VTV vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) is 2.65%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.60%. This indicates that VTV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTV	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	5.60%	-2.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.67%	11.70%	-4.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.18%	14.64%	-4.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.89%	17.34%	-3.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.68%	19.27%	-2.59%

VTV vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTV has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than XLU'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

VTV vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

VTV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.87%, less than XLU's 2.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTV Vanguard Value ETF	1.87%	2.05%	2.31%	2.46%	2.52%	2.15%	2.56%	2.50%	2.73%	2.29%	2.44%	2.60%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.73%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTV and XLU in my portfolio?

VTV and XLU have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTV or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.60%) compared to VTV (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTV dropped -59.27% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, VTV or XLU?

On 10-year performance, VTV leads with 12.42% vs 8.99% for XLU. On fees, VTV is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VTV has been the lower-risk option at 2.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTV or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, VTV has performed better with a 12.42% return vs 8.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTV or XLU?

VTV is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTV or XLU?

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.73%, compared with 1.87% for VTV.

What is the main difference between VTV and XLU?

VTV is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. VTV tracks CRSP US Large Cap Value Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VTV and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 0.70), 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.