VTI vs XLE
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VTI or XLE?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 3Y and the full window, XLE over 1Y and 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 74.1%.
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 | VTI | XLE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $690.1B | $39.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 3,524 | 48 |
| YTD Return | +13.35% | +40.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.92% | +46.11%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.41%Best | +15.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.83% | +22.34%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3%Best | 25.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.6%Best | -76.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,286 | $27,406Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.3%Best | 74.1% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Oct 2, 2026 (25.3 years).
VTI 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 25.3 years both funds cover.
VTI vs XLE Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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 VTI returned +15.92% while XLE returned +46.11%. Year to date, VTI is up 13.35% versus a gain of 40.34% for XLE.
Over three years, VTI compounded at +23.41% per year against +15.99% for XLE; over five years the annualized figures are +12.83% and +22.34% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.06% annualized vs +6.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.3% compared with 15.3% for VTI. 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 -56.6% for VTI 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 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while XLE 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, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 2.37% for XLE.
Holdings Overlap
3.0% of VTI's money is in holdings XLE also owns. 99.5% of XLE's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Most of XLE is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
21 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 22 in XLE, against full books of 3,524 and 48.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1 positions for XLE that do not appear in our book for VTI (0.5% of the fund), and 1,129 for VTI that do not appear in XLE (94.5%).
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 VTI | Weight in XLE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.89% | 20.16% | 19.27% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.52% | 15.22% | 14.70% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 0.20% | 6.35% | 6.15% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 0.13% | 5.66% | 5.53% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.12% | 5.52% | 5.40% |
| VLOValero Energy | 0.13% | 5.43% | 5.30% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 0.10% | 4.48% | 4.38% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 0.11% | 4.14% | 4.03% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 0.12% | 3.61% | 3.49% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 0.08% | 3.54% | 3.46% |
99.5% of XLE is already inside VTI.
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, VTI or XLE?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XLE charges 0.08%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or XLE?
Over the past year VTI returned +15.92% vs +46.11% for XLE, so XLE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), VTI annualized +8.06% vs +6.22% for XLE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or XLE?
XLE has been the more volatile fund at 25.3% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VTI -56.6% vs XLE -76.7%.
Should I hold both VTI and XLE?
VTI and XLE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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 VTI and XLE?
99.5% of XLE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 99.5% of XLE's is in holdings VTI also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 22 in XLE.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or XLE?
VTI yields 1.03% while XLE yields 2.37%, so XLE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLE better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 3Y and the full window, XLE over 1Y and 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 74.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.