VTI vs XLI
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VTI or XLI?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, XLI over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VTI is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.6%.
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 | XLI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $689.2B | $29.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 1.98% |
| Holdings | 3,542 | 172 |
| YTD Return | +10.82%Best | +7.66% |
| 1Y Return | +11.60%Best | +10.67% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.95%Best | +19.73% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.57% | +11.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3%Best | 18.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.6%Best | -63.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,527 | $17,080Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.6%Best | 39.6% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| 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 Nov 10, 2026 (25.4 years).
VTI vs XLI 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 25.4 years both funds cover.
VTI vs XLI Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VTI returned +11.60% while XLI returned +10.67%. Year to date, VTI is up 10.82% versus a gain of 7.66% for XLI.
Over three years, VTI compounded at +20.95% per year against +19.73% for XLI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.57% and +11.30% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +7.93% annualized vs +7.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% 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 -63.3% for XLI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while XLI 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 1.06% against 1.98% for XLI.
Holdings Overlap
7.2% of VTI's money is in holdings XLI also owns. 99.7% of XLI's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Most of XLI is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
83 positions in common, counted across the 3,464 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 83 in XLI, against full books of 3,542 and 172.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 0 positions for XLI that do not appear in our book for VTI (0.0% of the fund), and 1,046 for VTI that do not appear in XLI (89.7%).
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 VTI | Weight in XLI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATCaterpillar Inc | 0.51% | 7.18% | 6.67% |
| GEGeneral Electric Co. | 0.44% | 5.93% | 5.49% |
| GEVGE Vernova Inc. CDR (CAD Hedged) | 0.35% | 4.86% | 4.51% |
| RTXRtx Corp | 0.34% | 4.60% | 4.26% |
| DEDeere & Co Sedol 2261203 | 0.23% | 3.19% | 2.96% |
| ETNEaton Corporation Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.23% | 3.13% | 2.90% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 0.22% | 3.05% | 2.83% |
| BABoeing Co | 0.20% | 2.83% | 2.63% |
| UBERUber Technologies Inc | 0.18% | 2.57% | 2.39% |
| PHParker-Hannifin Corp. | 0.16% | 2.26% | 2.10% |
99.7% of XLI 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 XLI?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XLI charges 0.08%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or XLI?
Over the past year VTI returned +11.60% vs +10.67% for XLI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), VTI annualized +7.93% vs +7.26% for XLI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or XLI?
XLI has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VTI -56.6% vs XLI -63.3%.
Should I hold both VTI and XLI?
VTI and XLI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VTI and XLI?
99.7% of XLI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 99.7% of XLI's is in holdings VTI also owns. They hold 83 positions in common, counted across the 3,464 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 83 in XLI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or XLI?
VTI yields 1.06% while XLI yields 1.98%, so XLI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLI better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, XLI over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VTI is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.