VTI vs XLUI
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF
Which is better, VTI or XLUI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | XLUI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $666.9B | $28M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 15.34% |
| Holdings | 3,543 | 7 |
| YTD Return | +12.30%Best | +1.03% |
| 1Y Return | +16.08%Best | +1.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.01% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.36% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2% | 10.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9%Best | -9.4% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $12,088Best | $10,225 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Jul 29, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 30, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.1 years).
VTI vs XLUI 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
VTI vs XLUI Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLUI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VTI returned +16.08% while XLUI returned +1.92%. Year to date, VTI is up 12.30% versus a gain of 1.03% for XLUI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 10.0% for XLUI. 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 -8.9% for VTI and -9.4% for XLUI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.07. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while XLUI charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $35 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 15.34% for XLUI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3,463 holdings in VTI and 2 in XLUI, totalling 98.1% and 99.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 2 in XLUI, against full books of 3,543 and 7.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTI and XLUI 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, VTI or XLUI?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XLUI charges 0.35%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or XLUI?
Over the past year VTI returned +16.08% vs +1.92% for XLUI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VTI annualized +18.81% vs +2.04% for XLUI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or XLUI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 10.0% for XLUI. Worst drawdown: VTI -8.9% vs XLUI -9.4%.
Should I hold both VTI and XLUI?
VTI and XLUI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.07, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or XLUI?
VTI yields 1.03% while XLUI yields 15.34%, so XLUI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLUI better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.