XLSR vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

XLSR (SPDR SSGA US Sector Rotation ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLSR is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by State Street, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. XLSR is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XLSR returned 10.39%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for VTI. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. XLSR charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

XLSR vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR SSGA US Sector Rotation ETF (XLSR) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLSR achieves a 7.00% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 12.01% return.

XLSR

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 5.18%
• YTD: 7.00%
• 6M: 6.79%
• 1Y: 26.84%
• 3Y*: 17.83%
• 5Y*: 10.39%
• 10Y*: —

VTI

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 5.37%
• YTD: 12.01%
• 6M: 12.40%
• 1Y: 30.01%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.13%

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

XLSR vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
XLSR SPDR SSGA US Sector Rotation ETF	7.00%	17.34%	17.60%	18.95%	-15.70%	20.47%	20.23%	14.13%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	12.01%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	13.05%

Correlation

The correlation between XLSR and VTI is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2019	0.96

The correlation between XLSR and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

XLSR vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLSR	VTI
Technology	33.5%	33.5%
Healthcare	21.9%	9.2%
Communication Services	16.4%	10.3%
Industrials	13.8%	9.8%
Energy	8.1%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	4.7%
Financial Services	0.7%	12.0%
Consumer Cyclical	0.4%	10.0%
Basic Materials	-	2.0%
Real Estate	-	2.4%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

XLSR vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLSR

XLSR Risk / Return Rank: 61
XLSR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XLSR Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
XLSR Omega Ratio Rank: 66
XLSR Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
XLSR Martin Ratio Rank: 61

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 74
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

XLSR vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR SSGA US Sector Rotation ETF (XLSR) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	XLSR	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	2.48	-0.28
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	3.37	-0.29
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.45	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	3.44	-0.97
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.00	15.88	-4.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XLSR vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLSR Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLSR and VTI, 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

	XLSR	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.20	2.48	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.75	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.51	+0.16

Drawdowns

XLSR vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLSR drawdown since its inception was -32.94%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLSR and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLSR	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.94%	-55.45%	+22.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.06%	-8.92%	-2.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.57%	-19.30%	-1.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.32%	-25.36%	+2.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.33%	-8.03%	+2.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.48%	1.93%	+0.55%

Volatility

XLSR vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

SPDR SSGA US Sector Rotation ETF (XLSR) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 2.96% and 2.86%, 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

	XLSR	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.96%	2.86%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.25%	9.11%	+0.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.25%	12.15%	+0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.08%	17.40%	-0.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.04%	18.30%	+1.74%

XLSR vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLSR has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLSR vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

XLSR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, less than VTI's 1.01% 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%
XLSR SPDR SSGA US Sector Rotation ETF	0.52%	0.58%	0.66%	1.04%	1.80%	3.44%	1.25%	0.94%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLSR and VTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, XLSR and VTI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, XLSR or VTI?

XLSR has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to VTI (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLSR dropped -32.94% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, XLSR or VTI?

On 5-year performance, VTI leads with 13.05% vs 10.39% for XLSR. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLSR or VTI?

Over the 5-year period, VTI has performed better with a 13.05% return vs 10.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLSR or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for XLSR.

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

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.52% for XLSR.

What is the main difference between XLSR and VTI?

XLSR is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for XLSR and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 2.20), 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.