VONG vs XLK
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF vs State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VONG or XLK?
XLK has been ahead.
VONG has a lower expense ratio. XLK led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. VONG is less concentrated, with 54.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.3%.
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 | XLK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $51.6B | $119.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.46% | 0.43% |
| Holdings | 373 | 77 |
| YTD Return | +3.94% | +30.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.20% | +39.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.44% | +30.96%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.98% | +20.02%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9%Best | 18.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.7%Best | -33.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,608 | $24,904Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 54.3%Best | 61.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2010 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2010 to Sep 11, 2026 (16 years).
VONG vs XLK 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 XLK Performance
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year VONG returned +7.20% while XLK returned +39.20%. Year to date, VONG is up 3.94% versus a gain of 30.37% for XLK.
Over three years, VONG compounded at +21.44% per year against +30.96% for XLK; over five years the annualized figures are +11.98% and +20.02% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, XLK has the edge at +19.51% annualized vs +15.56%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% 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 -33.6% for XLK. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VONG charges 0.06% per year while XLK 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 0.43% for XLK.
Holdings Overlap
51.8% of VONG's money is in holdings XLK also owns. 84.1% of XLK's money is in holdings VONG also owns.
Most of XLK is already inside VONG. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
47 positions in common, counted across the 371 positions we hold weights for in VONG and 74 in XLK, against full books of 373 and 77.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 371 and 74 positions we hold weights for.
VONG holds 259 positions XLK does not, 47.5% of the fund.
Largest: GOOGL 6.16%, GOOG 4.97%, TSLA 3.64%, META 3.00%, LLY 2.83%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VONG | Weight in XLK | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 13.81% | 14.47% | 0.66% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.71% | 12.26% | 5.55% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 4.10% | 9.91% | 5.81% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.20% | 5.40% | 0.20% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 3.85% | 3.63% | 0.22% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 2.80% | 4.01% | 1.21% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 1.70% | 2.79% | 1.09% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 1.60% | 2.54% | 0.94% |
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 0.77% | 2.57% | 1.80% |
| KLACKla Corp. | 1.17% | 1.69% | 0.52% |
84.1% of XLK is already inside VONG.
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, VONG or XLK?
VONG has an expense ratio of 0.06% while XLK charges 0.08%. VONG is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VONG or XLK?
Over the past year VONG returned +7.20% vs +39.20% for XLK, so XLK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VONG annualized +15.56% vs +19.51% for XLK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VONG or XLK?
XLK has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 15.9% for VONG. Worst drawdown: VONG -32.7% vs XLK -33.6%.
Should I hold both VONG and XLK?
VONG and XLK have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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 VONG and XLK?
84.1% of XLK's money is in holdings VONG also owns. 84.1% of XLK's is in holdings VONG also owns. They hold 47 positions in common, counted across the 371 positions we hold weights for in VONG and 74 in XLK.
Which pays a higher dividend, VONG or XLK?
VONG yields 0.46% while XLK yields 0.43%, so VONG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLK better than VONG?
VONG has a lower expense ratio. XLK led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. VONG is less concentrated, with 54.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.