VT vs XLE
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF vs State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VT or XLE?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VT has a lower expense ratio. VT led over 3Y and the full window, XLE over 1Y and 5Y.
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 | VT | XLE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $97.9B | $42.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.55% | 2.55% |
| Holdings | 10,133 | 24 |
| YTD Return | +12.24% | +42.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.11% | +47.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.23%Best | +15.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.20% | +26.44%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6%Best | 27.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -50.6%Best | -76.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,003 | $32,316Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 24, 2008 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2008 to Sep 18, 2026 (18.2 years).
VT vs XLE 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 18.2 years both funds cover.
VT vs XLE Performance
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year VT returned +17.11% while XLE returned +47.84%. Year to date, VT is up 12.24% versus a gain of 42.82% for XLE.
Over three years, VT compounded at +20.23% per year against +15.50% for XLE; over five years the annualized figures are +11.20% and +26.44% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VT has the edge at +7.22% annualized vs +3.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.1% compared with 16.6% for VT. 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 -50.6% for VT and -76.7% for XLE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VT charges 0.06% per year while XLE 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, VT currently yields 1.55% against 2.55% for XLE.
Holdings Overlap
At least 97.7% of XLE's money is in holdings VT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VT, our book for it covers 90.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of XLE is already inside VT. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
20 positions in common, counted across the 9,272 positions we hold weights for in VT and 22 in XLE, against full books of 10,133 and 24.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 9,272 and 22 positions we hold weights for.
VT holds 859 positions XLE does not, 57.7% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 4.03%, AAPL 3.84%, MSFT 2.97%, AMZN 2.27%, GOOG 1.82%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VT | Weight in XLE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.56% | 20.08% | 19.52% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.31% | 15.07% | 14.76% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 0.13% | 6.33% | 6.20% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 0.08% | 5.50% | 5.42% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.07% | 5.39% | 5.32% |
| VLOValero Energy | 0.08% | 5.06% | 4.98% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 0.06% | 4.56% | 4.50% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 0.07% | 4.18% | 4.11% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 0.07% | 3.74% | 3.67% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 0.05% | 3.63% | 3.58% |
97.7% of XLE is already inside VT.
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, VT or XLE?
VT has an expense ratio of 0.06% while XLE charges 0.08%. VT is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VT or XLE?
Over the past year VT returned +17.11% vs +47.84% for XLE, so XLE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), VT annualized +7.22% vs +3.34% for XLE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VT or XLE?
XLE has been the more volatile fund at 27.1% annualized versus 16.6% for VT. Worst drawdown: VT -50.6% vs XLE -76.7%.
Should I hold both VT and XLE?
VT and XLE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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 VT and XLE?
At least 97.7% of XLE's money is in holdings VT also owns. Our book for VT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 9,272 positions we hold weights for in VT and 22 in XLE.
Which pays a higher dividend, VT or XLE?
VT yields 1.55% while XLE yields 2.55%, so XLE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLE better than VT?
VT has a lower expense ratio. VT led over 3Y and the full window, XLE over 1Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.