VWILX vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VWILX (Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both funds - VWILX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, VWILX returned 9.29%/yr vs 8.99%/yr for XLU. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VWILX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

VWILX vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX) 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, VWILX achieves a 1.35% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 2.66% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VWILX having a 9.29% annualized return and XLU not far behind at 8.99%.

VWILX

• 1D: -3.89%
• 1M: -2.99%
• YTD: 1.35%
• 6M: 1.75%
• 1Y: 6.96%
• 3Y*: 10.76%
• 5Y*: -2.40%
• 10Y*: 9.29%

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)

VWILX vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWILX Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares	1.35%	20.08%	9.18%	14.80%	-30.80%	-12.81%	59.77%	31.50%	-12.58%	43.17%
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 VWILX and XLU is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 14, 2001	0.36

The correlation between VWILX and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (1 year) to 0.36 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VWILX vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWILX	XLU
Technology	27.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	17.5%	-
Industrials	13.3%	-
Financial Services	12.2%	-
Healthcare	10.6%	-
Communication Services	6.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	-
Basic Materials	2.6%	-
Energy	1.9%	-
Utilities	0.5%	100.0%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

VWILX vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWILX

VWILX Risk / Return Rank: 6
VWILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
VWILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
VWILX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
VWILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
VWILX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

VWILX vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX) 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.

	VWILX	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.39	0.71	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.66	1.04	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.13	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.51	1.12	-0.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.65	2.47	-0.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWILX vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWILX Sharpe Ratio is 0.39, which is lower than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWILX 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

	VWILX	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39	0.71	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.10	0.53	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.47	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.40	-0.06

Drawdowns

VWILX vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWILX drawdown since its inception was -59.49%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWILX and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWILX	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.49%	-51.98%	-7.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.06%	-9.18%	-4.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.02%	-17.26%	-2.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.56%	-25.26%	-28.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.08%	-36.07%	-18.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.59%	-8.18%	-10.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.09%	-10.22%	-4.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.37%	4.16%	+0.21%

Volatility

VWILX vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) have volatilities of 5.83% and 5.60%, 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

	VWILX	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.83%	5.60%	+0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.03%	11.70%	+3.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.41%	14.64%	+3.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.48%	17.34%	+6.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.73%	19.27%	+2.46%

VWILX vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWILX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWILX vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

VWILX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.80%, more than XLU's 2.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VWILX Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares	6.80%	6.89%	9.81%	1.92%	7.03%	0.36%	2.38%	1.30%	5.52%	0.84%	1.42%	1.53%
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 VWILX and XLU in my portfolio?

VWILX and XLU have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWILX or XLU?

VWILX has higher volatility (5.83%) compared to XLU (5.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWILX dropped -59.49% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.70 vs 0.39), 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.