VLU vs VOO
State Street SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, VLU or VOO?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VLU led over 1Y and 5Y, VOO over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VLU is less concentrated, with 18.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%.
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 | VLU | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $761M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.57% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 1,476 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +17.42%Best | +11.98% |
| 1Y Return | +23.60%Best | +16.45% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.19% | +21.19%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.16%Best | +12.95% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8% | 14.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.9% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,555Best | $18,384 |
| Top 10 Weight | 18.4%Best | 37.6% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 24, 2012 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 25, 2012 to Sep 14, 2026 (13.9 years).
VLU 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 13.9 years both funds cover.
VLU vs VOO Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VLU returned +23.60% while VOO returned +16.45%. Year to date, VLU is up 17.42% versus a gain of 11.98% for VOO.
Over three years, VLU compounded at +20.19% per year against +21.19% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +13.16% and +12.95% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.55% annualized vs +11.56%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VLU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 14.2% for VOO. 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 -37.9% for VLU 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VLU charges 0.12% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $3 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VLU currently yields 1.57% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
81.8% of VLU's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 97.8% of VOO's money is in holdings VLU also owns.
Most of VOO is already inside VLU. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
481 positions in common, counted across the 1,454 positions we hold weights for in VLU and 494 in VOO, against full books of 1,476 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 10 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for VLU (1.6% of the fund), and 776 for VLU that do not appear in VOO (16.4%).
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 VLU | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.99% | 7.05% | 5.06% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.98% | 7.55% | 6.57% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.03% | 5.36% | 2.33% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.79% | 4.13% | 1.34% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.53% | 2.62% | 1.09% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 2.46% | 1.46% | 1.00% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.55% | 3.24% | 2.69% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.46% | 2.86% | 2.40% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.13% | 1.90% | 0.77% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.52% | 1.46% | 0.06% |
97.8% of VOO is already inside VLU.
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, VLU or VOO?
VLU has an expense ratio of 0.12% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VLU or VOO?
Over the past year VLU returned +23.60% vs +16.45% for VOO, so VLU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), VLU annualized +11.56% vs +13.55% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VLU or VOO?
VLU has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 14.2% for VOO. Worst drawdown: VLU -37.9% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both VLU and VOO?
VLU and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VLU and VOO?
97.8% of VOO's money is in holdings VLU also owns. 97.8% of VOO's is in holdings VLU also owns. They hold 481 positions in common, counted across the 1,454 positions we hold weights for in VLU and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, VLU or VOO?
VLU yields 1.57% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VLU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than VLU?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VLU led over 1Y and 5Y, VOO over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VLU is less concentrated, with 18.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.