VIG vs XLV
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF vs State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VIG or XLV?
Each has led over a different period.
VIG has a lower expense ratio. VIG led over 3Y and 5Y, XLV over 1Y and the full window. VIG is less concentrated, with 33.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.7%.
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 | VIG | XLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $111.4B | $44.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.48% | 1.49% |
| Holdings | 335 | 63 |
| YTD Return | +8.21% | +9.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.34% | +24.85%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.39%Best | +10.56% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.34%Best | +6.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3%Best | 14.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -48.2% | -40.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,356Best | $13,765 |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.4%Best | 60.7% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 21, 2006 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 27, 2006 to Sep 23, 2026 (20.4 years).
VIG vs XLV 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 20.4 years both funds cover.
VIG vs XLV Performance
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year VIG returned +11.34% while XLV returned +24.85%. Year to date, VIG is up 8.21% versus a gain of 9.47% for XLV.
Over three years, VIG compounded at +16.39% per year against +10.56% for XLV; over five years the annualized figures are +10.34% and +6.60% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, XLV has the edge at +9.19% annualized vs +8.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 13.3% for VIG. 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 -48.2% for VIG and -40.6% for XLV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VIG charges 0.04% per year while XLV charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $8 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VIG currently yields 1.48% against 1.49% for XLV.
Holdings Overlap
17.7% of VIG's money is in holdings XLV also owns. 69.1% of XLV's money is in holdings VIG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
22 positions in common, counted across the 322 positions we hold weights for in VIG and 61 in XLV, against full books of 335 and 63.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 38 positions for XLV that do not appear in our book for VIG (30.8% of the fund), and 278 for VIG that do not appear in XLV (81.8%).
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 VIG | Weight in XLV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 3.93% | 14.82% | 10.89% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.67% | 10.54% | 7.87% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.92% | 7.42% | 5.50% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 1.63% | 5.81% | 4.18% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.39% | 5.98% | 4.59% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.90% | 3.82% | 2.92% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 0.80% | 3.06% | 2.26% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 0.70% | 3.01% | 2.31% |
| DHRDanaher Corporation | 0.53% | 2.11% | 1.58% |
| MDTMedtronic Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.47% | 1.91% | 1.44% |
69.1% of XLV is already inside VIG.
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, VIG or XLV?
VIG has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XLV charges 0.08%. VIG is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VIG or XLV?
Over the past year VIG returned +11.34% vs +24.85% for XLV, so XLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VIG annualized +8.44% vs +9.19% for XLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VIG or XLV?
XLV has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 13.3% for VIG. Worst drawdown: VIG -48.2% vs XLV -40.6%.
Should I hold both VIG and XLV?
VIG and XLV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 VIG and XLV?
69.1% of XLV's money is in holdings VIG also owns. 69.1% of XLV's is in holdings VIG also owns. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 322 positions we hold weights for in VIG and 61 in XLV.
Which pays a higher dividend, VIG or XLV?
VIG yields 1.48% while XLV yields 1.49%, so XLV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLV better than VIG?
VIG has a lower expense ratio. VIG led over 3Y and 5Y, XLV over 1Y and the full window. VIG is less concentrated, with 33.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.