VHT vs VOO
Vanguard Health Care ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, VHT or VOO?
Each has led over a different period.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VHT led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.0%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | VHT | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $20.9B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.48% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 427 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +10.92% | +14.14%Best |
| 1Y Return | +26.30%Best | +17.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.85% | +23.16%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.97% | +13.85%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.9%Best | 14.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -29.0%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,363 | $19,128Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.0% | 37.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 21, 2026 (16 years).
VHT vs VOO growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 16 years both funds cover.
VHT vs VOO Performance
Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VHT returned +26.30% while VOO returned +17.31%. Year to date, VHT is up 10.92% versus a gain of 14.14% for VOO.
Over three years, VHT compounded at +11.85% per year against +23.16% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +5.97% and +13.85% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.49% annualized vs +12.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 13.9% for VHT. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -29.0% for VHT and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VHT charges 0.09% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $3 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VHT currently yields 1.48% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
85.3% of VHT's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 9.2% of VOO's money is in holdings VHT also owns.
Most of VHT is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
60 positions in common, counted across the 405 positions we hold weights for in VHT and 494 in VOO, against full books of 427 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 428 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for VHT (90.0% of the fund), and 270 for VHT that do not appear in VOO (13.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VHT | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 13.40% | 1.41% | 11.99% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 8.84% | 0.96% | 7.88% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 6.45% | 0.69% | 5.76% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 5.46% | 0.58% | 4.88% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 4.68% | 0.50% | 4.18% |
| TMOThermo Fisherscientific Inc. | 3.10% | 0.33% | 2.77% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 3.02% | 0.32% | 2.70% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 2.67% | 0.29% | 2.38% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 2.35% | 0.25% | 2.10% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 2.07% | 0.22% | 1.85% |
85.3% of VHT is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VHT or VOO?
VHT has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VHT or VOO?
Over the past year VHT returned +26.30% vs +17.31% for VOO, so VHT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VHT annualized +12.48% vs +13.49% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VHT or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 13.9% for VHT. Worst drawdown: VHT -29.0% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both VHT and VOO?
VHT and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VHT and VOO?
85.3% of VHT's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 9.2% of VOO's is in holdings VHT also owns. They hold 60 positions in common, counted across the 405 positions we hold weights for in VHT and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, VHT or VOO?
VHT yields 1.48% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VHT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than VHT?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VHT led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.