VOT vs XLF
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF vs State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VOT or XLF?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VOT has a lower expense ratio. VOT led over the full window, XLF over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VOT is less concentrated, with 20.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.8%.
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 | VOT | XLF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $19.1B | $54.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.60% | 1.40% |
| Holdings | 129 | 80 |
| YTD Return | +6.47%Best | +0.63% |
| 1Y Return | +2.13% | +2.72%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.17% | +19.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.68% | +9.90%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5%Best | 22.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -60.3%Best | -83.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,570 | $16,032Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.9%Best | 56.8% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 17, 2006 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 24, 2006 to Sep 22, 2026 (20.1 years).
VOT vs XLF 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 20.1 years both funds cover.
VOT vs XLF Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year VOT returned +2.13% while XLF returned +2.72%. Year to date, VOT is up 6.47% versus a gain of 0.63% for XLF.
Over three years, VOT compounded at +16.17% per year against +19.30% for XLF; over five years the annualized figures are +4.68% and +9.90% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VOT has the edge at +9.42% annualized vs +2.98%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.7% compared with 18.5% for VOT. 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 -60.3% for VOT and -83.8% for XLF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VOT charges 0.05% per year while XLF charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $8 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VOT currently yields 0.60% against 1.40% for XLF.
Holdings Overlap
6.3% of VOT's money is in holdings XLF also owns. 4.2% of XLF's money is in holdings VOT also owns.
VOT and XLF share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 123 positions we hold weights for in VOT and 77 in XLF, against full books of 129 and 80.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 68 positions for XLF that do not appear in our book for VOT (95.5% of the fund), and 111 for VOT that do not appear in XLF (91.7%).
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 VOT | Weight in XLF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOODRobinhood Markets Inc - A | 1.56% | 1.01% | 0.55% |
| SQBlock Inc | 0.99% | 0.52% | 0.47% |
| MSCIM S C I Inc. | 0.90% | 0.51% | 0.39% |
| APOAthene (Ath) / Apollo Global Management (Apo) | 0.58% | 0.75% | 0.17% |
| COINCoinbase Globa-A | 0.70% | 0.49% | 0.21% |
| ARESAres Management Corp A | 0.62% | 0.36% | 0.26% |
| CPAYCorpay Inc | 0.54% | 0.33% | 0.21% |
| BROBrown & Brown Inc | 0.46% | 0.26% | 0.20% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VOT and XLF 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, VOT or XLF?
VOT has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XLF charges 0.08%. VOT is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VOT or XLF?
Over the past year VOT returned +2.13% vs +2.72% for XLF, so XLF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VOT annualized +9.42% vs +2.98% for XLF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VOT or XLF?
XLF has been the more volatile fund at 22.7% annualized versus 18.5% for VOT. Worst drawdown: VOT -60.3% vs XLF -83.8%.
Should I hold both VOT and XLF?
VOT and XLF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 VOT and XLF?
6.3% of VOT's money is in holdings XLF also owns. 4.2% of XLF's is in holdings VOT also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 123 positions we hold weights for in VOT and 77 in XLF.
Which pays a higher dividend, VOT or XLF?
VOT yields 0.60% while XLF yields 1.40%, so XLF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLF better than VOT?
VOT has a lower expense ratio. VOT led over the full window, XLF over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VOT is less concentrated, with 20.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.