XMAG vs. VGT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XMAG (Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF) and VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XMAG is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the BITA US 500 ex Magnificent 7 Index, while VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, XMAG returned 21.36% vs 34.81% for VGT. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. XMAG charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VGT.

Performance

XMAG vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF (XMAG) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XMAG achieves a 12.36% return, which is significantly lower than VGT's 20.36% return.

XMAG

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -1.41%
• 6M: 10.62%
• YTD: 12.36%
• 1Y: 21.36%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.93%

VGT

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: -1.30%
• 6M: 21.30%
• YTD: 20.36%
• 1Y: 34.81%
• 3Y*: 26.48%
• 5Y*: 17.81%
• 10Y*: 24.06%
• ALL TIME*: 14.84%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	$440.89M	$515.41M	$573.34M
XMAG Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF	$1.40M	$2.49M	$1.91M

XMAG vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XMAG Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF	12.36%	15.63%	-1.52%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	20.36%	21.77%	2.57%

Correlation

The correlation between XMAG and VGT is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2024	0.73

The correlation between XMAG and VGT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

XMAG vs. VGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XMAG	VGT
Technology	25.8%	98.6%
Financial Services	17.7%	0.5%
Healthcare	13.8%	0.0%
Industrials	11.5%	0.4%
Consumer Defensive	6.9%	-
Energy	5.3%	0.3%
Consumer Cyclical	5.3%	0.1%
Utilities	4.0%	-
Communication Services	3.0%	0.5%
Real Estate	2.9%	-
Basic Materials	2.6%	0.0%

Return for Risk

XMAG vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

XMAG

XMAG Risk / Return Rank: 77
XMAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
XMAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
XMAG Omega Ratio Rank: 70
XMAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
XMAG Martin Ratio Rank: 84

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 52
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 46

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

XMAG vs. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF (XMAG) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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.

	XMAG	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	1.31	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	1.82	+0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.23	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	1.94	+0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.56	5.23	+6.33

XMAG vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XMAG Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XMAG and VGT, 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

XMAG vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XMAG drawdown since its inception was -16.17%, smaller than the maximum VGT drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XMAG and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	XMAG	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.17%	-54.63%	+38.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.29%	-16.40%	+9.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-27.23%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.07%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.76%	-9.93%	+7.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.07%	-7.95%	+5.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.75%	6.07%	-4.32%

Volatility

XMAG vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF (XMAG) is 3.55%, while Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has a volatility of 8.42%. This indicates that XMAG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XMAG	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.55%	8.42%	-4.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.62%	20.14%	-10.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.06%	24.28%	-12.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.03%	25.83%	-10.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.03%	24.89%	-9.86%

XMAG vs. VGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

XMAG has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VGT's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

XMAG vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

XMAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%, more than VGT's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.38%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%
XMAG Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF	0.46%	0.51%	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XMAG and VGT in my portfolio?

XMAG and VGT have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XMAG or VGT?

VGT has higher volatility (8.42%) compared to XMAG (3.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XMAG dropped -16.17% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which ETF is better, XMAG or VGT?

On 1-year performance, VGT leads with 34.81% vs 21.36% for XMAG. On fees, VGT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, XMAG has been the lower-risk option at 3.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XMAG or VGT?

Over the 1-year period, VGT has performed better with a 34.81% return vs 21.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XMAG or VGT?

VGT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XMAG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XMAG or VGT?

XMAG has the higher dividend yield at 0.46%, compared with 0.38% for VGT.

What is the main difference between XMAG and VGT?

XMAG is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VGT is Technology Equities. XMAG tracks BITA US 500 ex Magnificent 7 Index, while VGT tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XMAG and 0.09% for VGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XMAG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 1.31), 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.