VOT vs XLV
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF vs State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VOT or XLV?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOT has a lower expense ratio. VOT led over 3Y and the full window, XLV over 1Y and 5Y. VOT is less concentrated, with 21.2% 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 | VOT | XLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $19.1B | $44.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.60% | 1.49% |
| Holdings | 129 | 63 |
| YTD Return | +4.42% | +7.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.45% | +22.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.64%Best | +9.43% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.17% | +6.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5% | 14.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.3% | -40.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,266 | $13,490Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 21.2%Best | 60.7% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 17, 2006 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 24, 2006 to Sep 10, 2026 (20 years).
VOT 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 20 years both funds cover.
VOT vs XLV Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) 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 VOT returned +1.45% while XLV returned +22.74%. Year to date, VOT is up 4.42% versus a gain of 7.44% for XLV.
Over three years, VOT compounded at +13.64% per year against +9.43% for XLV; over five years the annualized figures are +4.17% and +6.17% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VOT has the edge at +9.33% annualized vs +8.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 14.2% 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 -60.3% for VOT and -40.6% 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VOT charges 0.05% per year while XLV 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 1.49% for XLV.
Holdings Overlap
7.4% of VOT's money is in holdings XLV also owns. 6.4% of XLV's money is in holdings VOT also owns.
VOT and XLV share little of their money.
11 positions in common, counted across the 121 positions we hold weights for in VOT and 61 in XLV, against full books of 129 and 63.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 121 and 61 positions we hold weights for.
VOT holds 104 positions XLV does not, 88.9% of the fund.
Largest: VRT 2.82%, WDC 2.41%, PWR 2.37%, STX 2.37%, HWM 2.36%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VOT | Weight in XLV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EWEdwards Lifesciences Corp | 1.14% | 0.86% | 0.28% |
| IDXXIdexx Laboratories Inc. | 0.91% | 0.77% | 0.14% |
| AAgilent Tech In 3.2 10/22 | 0.82% | 0.69% | 0.13% |
| WATWaters Corp. | 0.81% | 0.67% | 0.14% |
| VEEVVeeva Systems Inc | 0.57% | 0.58% | 0.01% |
| RMDResmed Inc. | 0.62% | 0.51% | 0.11% |
| DXCMDexcom Inc. | 0.57% | 0.55% | 0.02% |
| ZTSZoetis, Inc. | 0.59% | 0.51% | 0.08% |
| MTDMettler-Toledo International Inc. | 0.57% | 0.48% | 0.09% |
| WSTWest Pharmaceutical Services Inc | 0.56% | 0.42% | 0.14% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VOT and XLV 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 XLV?
VOT has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XLV charges 0.08%. VOT is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VOT or XLV?
Over the past year VOT returned +1.45% vs +22.74% for XLV, so XLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VOT annualized +9.33% vs +8.94% for XLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VOT or XLV?
VOT has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 14.2% for XLV. Worst drawdown: VOT -60.3% vs XLV -40.6%.
Should I hold both VOT and XLV?
VOT and XLV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 XLV?
7.4% of VOT's money is in holdings XLV also owns. 6.4% of XLV's is in holdings VOT also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 121 positions we hold weights for in VOT and 61 in XLV.
Which pays a higher dividend, VOT or XLV?
VOT yields 0.60% while XLV yields 1.49%, so XLV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLV better than VOT?
VOT has a lower expense ratio. VOT led over 3Y and the full window, XLV over 1Y and 5Y. VOT is less concentrated, with 21.2% 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.