VONG vs XLV
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF vs State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VONG or XLV?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VONG has a lower expense ratio. VONG led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XLV over 1Y. VONG is less concentrated, with 54.3% 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 | VONG | XLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $51.6B | $44.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.46% | 1.49% |
| Holdings | 373 | 63 |
| YTD Return | +3.94% | +7.24%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.20% | +20.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.44%Best | +9.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.98%Best | +6.27% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.7% | -28.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,608Best | $13,554 |
| Top 10 Weight | 54.3%Best | 60.7% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| 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 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 16 years both funds cover.
VONG vs XLV Performance
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) 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 VONG returned +7.20% while XLV returned +20.42%. Year to date, VONG is up 3.94% versus a gain of 7.24% for XLV.
Over three years, VONG compounded at +21.44% per year against +9.41% for XLV; over five years the annualized figures are +11.98% and +6.27% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VONG has the edge at +15.56% annualized vs +11.80%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VONG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 13.6% for XLV. 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 -28.8% 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VONG charges 0.06% per year while XLV 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 1.49% for XLV.
Holdings Overlap
4.5% of VONG's money is in holdings XLV also owns. 34.7% of XLV's money is in holdings VONG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
12 positions in common, counted across the 371 positions we hold weights for in VONG and 61 in XLV, against full books of 373 and 63.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 371 and 61 positions we hold weights for.
VONG holds 292 positions XLV does not, 94.8% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 13.81%, AAPL 6.71%, GOOGL 6.16%, AVGO 5.20%, GOOG 4.97%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VONG | Weight in XLV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 2.83% | 15.68% | 12.85% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.11% | 7.26% | 7.15% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.41% | 3.71% | 3.30% |
| ISRGIntuitive Surgical Inc | 0.42% | 2.24% | 1.82% |
| MCKMckesson Corp. | 0.26% | 1.75% | 1.49% |
| CORCencora Inc | 0.16% | 1.04% | 0.88% |
| CAHCardinal Health Inc. | 0.08% | 0.93% | 0.85% |
| IDXXIdexx Laboratories Inc. | 0.10% | 0.77% | 0.67% |
| DXCMDexcom Inc. | 0.08% | 0.55% | 0.47% |
| ZTSZoetis, Inc. | 0.07% | 0.51% | 0.44% |
34.7% of XLV 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 XLV?
VONG has an expense ratio of 0.06% while XLV charges 0.08%. VONG is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VONG or XLV?
Over the past year VONG returned +7.20% vs +20.42% for XLV, so XLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VONG annualized +15.56% vs +11.80% for XLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VONG or XLV?
VONG has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 13.6% for XLV. Worst drawdown: VONG -32.7% vs XLV -28.8%.
Should I hold both VONG and XLV?
VONG and XLV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 XLV?
34.7% of XLV's money is in holdings VONG also owns. 34.7% of XLV's is in holdings VONG also owns. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 371 positions we hold weights for in VONG and 61 in XLV.
Which pays a higher dividend, VONG or XLV?
VONG yields 0.46% while XLV yields 1.49%, so XLV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLV better than VONG?
VONG has a lower expense ratio. VONG led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XLV over 1Y. VONG is less concentrated, with 54.3% 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.