VYM vs. XLRE
VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and XLRE (Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while XLRE is a REIT fund tracking the Real Estate Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VYM returned 11.95%/yr vs 7.15%/yr for XLRE. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VYM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLRE.
Performance
VYM vs. XLRE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VYM achieves a 12.37% return, which is significantly lower than XLRE's 13.17% return. Over the past 10 years, VYM has outperformed XLRE with an annualized return of 11.95%, while XLRE has yielded a comparatively lower 7.15% annualized return.
VYM
- 1D
- 0.80%
- 1M
- 1.97%
- YTD
- 12.37%
- 6M
- 11.19%
- 1Y
- 25.94%
- 3Y*
- 18.06%
- 5Y*
- 11.59%
- 10Y*
- 11.95%
XLRE
- 1D
- 0.98%
- 1M
- 3.30%
- YTD
- 13.17%
- 6M
- 13.29%
- 1Y
- 12.05%
- 3Y*
- 10.41%
- 5Y*
- 3.32%
- 10Y*
- 7.15%
VYM vs. XLRE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 12.37% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 24.06% | -5.92% | 16.42% |
XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund | 13.17% | 2.63% | 5.09% | 12.36% | -26.25% | 46.10% | -2.18% | 28.68% | -2.39% | 10.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between VYM and XLRE is 0.55, 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 | 0.55 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.66 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.59 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 8, 2015 | 0.59 |
The correlation between VYM and XLRE shifts across timeframes, from 0.55 (1 year) to 0.66 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VYM vs. XLRE — Risk / Return Rank
VYM
XLRE
VYM vs. XLRE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE). 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.
| VYM | XLRE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.56 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.15 | +0.28 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.70 | 1.34 | +2.36 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.81 | 3.69 | +10.12 |
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Drawdowns
VYM vs. XLRE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VYM drawdown since its inception was -56.98%, which is greater than XLRE's maximum drawdown of -38.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYM and XLRE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VYM | XLRE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -56.98% | -38.83% | -18.15% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.69% | -8.33% | +1.64% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.46% | -16.74% | +2.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.84% | -34.12% | +18.28% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.21% | -38.83% | +3.62% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.52% | 0.00% | -0.52% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.18% | -9.58% | +2.40% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.80% | 3.03% | -1.23% |
Volatility
VYM vs. XLRE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is 3.31%, while Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) has a volatility of 4.81%. This indicates that VYM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLRE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VYM | XLRE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.31% | 4.81% | -1.50% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.81% | 10.20% | -2.39% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.47% | 13.83% | -3.36% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.99% | 19.10% | -5.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.35% | 20.42% | -4.07% |
VYM vs. XLRE - Expense Ratio Comparison
VYM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than XLRE's 0.13% 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
VYM vs. XLRE - Dividend Comparison
VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.19%, less than XLRE's 3.08% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.19% | 2.44% | 2.74% | 3.12% | 3.01% | 2.76% | 3.18% | 3.03% | 3.40% | 2.80% | 2.91% | 3.22% |
XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund | 3.08% | 3.45% | 3.43% | 3.31% | 3.70% | 2.61% | 3.15% | 3.06% | 3.78% | 3.25% | 4.22% | 1.09% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VYM and XLRE have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XLRE has higher volatility (4.81%) compared to VYM (3.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYM dropped -56.98% vs XLRE's -38.83%.
On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 11.95% vs 7.15% for XLRE. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VYM has been the lower-risk option at 3.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VYM has performed better with a 11.95% return vs 7.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for XLRE.
XLRE has the higher dividend yield at 3.08%, compared with 2.19% for VYM.
VYM is categorized as Dividend, while XLRE is REIT. VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while XLRE tracks Real Estate Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VYM and 0.13% for XLRE.
VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 0.81), 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.
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