XLY vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

XLY (Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLY is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector Index, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLY returned 12.78%/yr vs 17.90%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XLY charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

XLY vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLY achieves a -2.16% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 4.99% return. Over the past 10 years, XLY has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 12.78%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.90% annualized return.

XLY

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: -1.79%
• YTD: -2.16%
• 6M: -3.01%
• 1Y: 9.98%
• 3Y*: 12.99%
• 5Y*: 7.00%
• 10Y*: 12.78%

VUG

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -2.56%
• YTD: 4.99%
• 6M: 5.66%
• 1Y: 21.15%
• 3Y*: 23.38%
• 5Y*: 13.78%
• 10Y*: 17.90%

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

XLY vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLY Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund	-2.16%	7.37%	26.51%	39.64%	-36.27%	27.93%	29.63%	28.39%	1.58%	22.82%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	4.99%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between XLY and VUG is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.85

The correlation between XLY and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (1 year) to 0.85 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XLY vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLY	VUG
Consumer Cyclical	97.6%	12.2%
Communication Services	1.3%	17.3%
Technology	0.9%	53.5%
Industrials	0.1%	3.6%
Basic Materials	-	0.6%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.5%
Energy	-	0.4%
Financial Services	-	4.3%
Healthcare	-	4.6%
Real Estate	-	1.0%
Utilities	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

XLY vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLY

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

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 36
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

XLY vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.

	XLY	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.55	1.29	-0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.89	1.78	-0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.23	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.67	1.29	-0.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.05	4.43	-2.37

XLY vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLY Sharpe Ratio is 0.55, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLY and VUG, 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

XLY vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLY drawdown since its inception was -59.05%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLY and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLY	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.05%	-50.68%	-8.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.98%	-16.53%	+1.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.01%	-22.85%	-3.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.67%	-35.61%	-4.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.67%	-35.61%	-4.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.17%	-5.56%	-0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.55%	-7.09%	-2.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.88%	4.79%	+0.09%

Volatility

XLY vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) has a higher volatility of 6.19% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 5.73%. This indicates that XLY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLY	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.19%	5.73%	+0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.44%	13.00%	+0.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.27%	16.46%	+1.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.83%	22.30%	+1.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.08%	21.48%	+0.60%

XLY vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLY has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XLY vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

XLY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, more than VUG's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.39%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%
XLY Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund	0.77%	0.79%	0.72%	0.78%	1.00%	0.53%	0.82%	1.28%	1.34%	1.20%	1.71%	1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLY and VUG in my portfolio?

XLY and VUG have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLY or VUG?

XLY has higher volatility (6.19%) compared to VUG (5.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLY dropped -59.05% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, XLY or VUG?

On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 17.90% vs 12.78% for XLY. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 5.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLY or VUG?

Over the 10-year period, VUG has performed better with a 17.90% return vs 12.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLY or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for XLY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLY or VUG?

XLY has the higher dividend yield at 0.77%, compared with 0.39% for VUG.

What is the main difference between XLY and VUG?

XLY is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. XLY tracks Consumer Discretionary Select Sector Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for XLY and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.29 vs 0.55), 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.