VOO vs XLC
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF vs State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VOO or XLC?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 70.1%.
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 | VOO | XLC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $997.4B | $22.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 1.28% |
| Holdings | 509 | 26 |
| YTD Return | +12.23%Best | -4.64% |
| 1Y Return | +18.60%Best | -2.81% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.98%Best | +19.07% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.76%Best | +6.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6%Best | 18.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.3%Best | -46.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,230Best | $13,759 |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.4%Best | 70.1% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 7, 2010 | Jun 18, 2018 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 19, 2018 to Sep 9, 2026 (8.2 years).
VOO vs XLC 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 8.2 years both funds cover.
VOO vs XLC Performance
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLC) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year VOO returned +18.60% while XLC returned -2.81%. Year to date, VOO is up 12.23% versus a loss of 4.64% for XLC.
Over three years, VOO compounded at +20.98% per year against +19.07% for XLC; over five years the annualized figures are +12.76% and +6.59% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +14.20% annualized vs +10.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% compared with 16.6% 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 -34.3% for VOO and -46.6% for XLC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VOO charges 0.03% per year while XLC charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $8 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VOO currently yields 1.04% against 1.28% for XLC.
Holdings Overlap
9.8% of VOO's money is in holdings XLC also owns. 99.8% of XLC's money is in holdings VOO also owns.
Most of XLC is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
23 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in VOO and 24 in XLC, against full books of 509 and 26.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 505 and 24 positions we hold weights for.
VOO holds 474 positions XLC does not, 89.6% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 7.51%, AAPL 6.59%, MSFT 4.30%, AMZN 3.62%, AVGO 2.77%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VOO | Weight in XLC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 1.92% | 17.62% | 15.70% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 3.25% | 10.92% | 7.67% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 2.59% | 8.78% | 6.19% |
| TAt&t, Inc. | 0.22% | 4.90% | 4.68% |
| VZVerizon Communications, Inc. | 0.27% | 4.80% | 4.53% |
| DISWalt Disney Co | 0.26% | 4.78% | 4.52% |
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | 0.47% | 4.52% | 4.05% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp. Class A | 0.14% | 4.71% | 4.57% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 0.12% | 4.58% | 4.46% |
| TTWOTake-Two Interactive Software, Inc. | 0.07% | 4.48% | 4.41% |
99.8% of XLC is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VOO or XLC?
VOO has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XLC charges 0.08%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VOO or XLC?
Over the past year VOO returned +18.60% vs -2.81% for XLC, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), VOO annualized +14.20% vs +10.91% for XLC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VOO or XLC?
XLC has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 16.6% for VOO. Worst drawdown: VOO -34.3% vs XLC -46.6%.
Should I hold both VOO and XLC?
VOO and XLC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 VOO and XLC?
99.8% of XLC's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 99.8% of XLC's is in holdings VOO also owns. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in VOO and 24 in XLC.
Which pays a higher dividend, VOO or XLC?
VOO yields 1.04% while XLC yields 1.28%, so XLC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLC better than VOO?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 70.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.