VONG vs XLE
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF vs State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VONG or XLE?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VONG has a lower expense ratio. VONG led over 3Y and the full window, XLE over 1Y and 5Y. VONG is less concentrated, with 54.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 73.4%.
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 | VONG | XLE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $51.6B | $42.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.46% | 2.55% |
| Holdings | 373 | 24 |
| YTD Return | +3.06% | +44.20%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.85% | +50.27%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.62%Best | +16.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.74% | +26.66%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9%Best | 26.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.7%Best | -76.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,420 | $32,598Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 54.3%Best | 73.4% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2010 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2010 to Sep 10, 2026 (16 years).
VONG vs XLE 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.
VONG vs XLE Performance
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year VONG returned +6.85% while XLE returned +50.27%. Year to date, VONG is up 3.06% versus a gain of 44.20% for XLE.
Over three years, VONG compounded at +20.62% per year against +16.33% for XLE; over five years the annualized figures are +11.74% and +26.66% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VONG has the edge at +15.51% annualized vs +6.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.8% compared with 15.9% for VONG. 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 -32.7% for VONG and -76.7% for XLE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.42. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VONG charges 0.06% per year while XLE charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $8 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VONG currently yields 0.46% against 2.55% for XLE.
Holdings Overlap
0.4% of VONG's money is in holdings XLE also owns. 19.3% of XLE's money is in holdings VONG also owns.
XLE and VONG share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 371 positions we hold weights for in VONG and 22 in XLE, against full books of 373 and 24.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 16 positions for XLE that do not appear in our book for VONG (78.9% of the fund), and 298 for VONG that do not appear in XLE (99.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VONG and XLE you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VONG or XLE?
VONG has an expense ratio of 0.06% while XLE charges 0.08%. VONG is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VONG or XLE?
Over the past year VONG returned +6.85% vs +50.27% for XLE, so XLE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VONG annualized +15.51% vs +6.94% for XLE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VONG or XLE?
XLE has been the more volatile fund at 26.8% annualized versus 15.9% for VONG. Worst drawdown: VONG -32.7% vs XLE -76.7%.
Should I hold both VONG and XLE?
VONG and XLE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.42, 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 VONG and XLE?
19.3% of XLE's money is in holdings VONG also owns. 19.3% of XLE's is in holdings VONG also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 371 positions we hold weights for in VONG and 22 in XLE.
Which pays a higher dividend, VONG or XLE?
VONG yields 0.46% while XLE yields 2.55%, so XLE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLE better than VONG?
VONG has a lower expense ratio. VONG led over 3Y and the full window, XLE over 1Y and 5Y. VONG is less concentrated, with 54.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 73.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.