VTV vs XLE
Vanguard Morningstar Value ETF vs State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VTV or XLE?
Each has led over a different period.
VTV has a lower expense ratio. VTV led over 3Y, XLE over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VTV is less concentrated, with 22.5% 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 | VTV | XLE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $192.2B | $39.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.82% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 311 | 48 |
| YTD Return | +14.09% | +40.07%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.33% | +44.37%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.29%Best | +15.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.24% | +22.67%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5%Best | 25.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -61.3%Best | -76.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,813 | $27,777Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 74.1% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Oct 1, 2026 (22.7 years).
VTV 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 22.7 years both funds cover.
VTV vs XLE Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Value ETF (VTV) 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 VTV returned +18.33% while XLE returned +44.37%. Year to date, VTV is up 14.09% versus a gain of 40.07% for XLE.
Over three years, VTV compounded at +19.29% per year against +15.89% for XLE; over five years the annualized figures are +12.24% and +22.67% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, XLE has the edge at +7.80% annualized vs +7.39%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.9% compared with 14.5% for VTV. 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 -61.3% for VTV 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTV 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, VTV currently yields 1.82% against 2.37% for XLE.
Holdings Overlap
7.5% of VTV's money is in holdings XLE also owns. 92.5% of XLE's money is in holdings VTV also owns.
Most of XLE is already inside VTV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
17 positions in common, counted across the 299 positions we hold weights for in VTV and 22 in XLE, against full books of 311 and 48.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 5 positions for XLE that do not appear in our book for VTV (7.4% of the fund), and 274 for VTV that do not appear in XLE (89.5%).
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 VTV | Weight in XLE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.39% | 20.16% | 17.77% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.38% | 15.22% | 13.84% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 0.55% | 6.35% | 5.80% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 0.34% | 5.66% | 5.32% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.32% | 5.52% | 5.20% |
| VLOValero Energy | 0.35% | 5.43% | 5.08% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 0.28% | 4.48% | 4.20% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 0.29% | 4.14% | 3.85% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 0.32% | 3.61% | 3.29% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 0.23% | 3.44% | 3.21% |
92.5% of XLE is already inside VTV.
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, VTV or XLE?
VTV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XLE charges 0.08%. VTV is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTV or XLE?
Over the past year VTV returned +18.33% vs +44.37% for XLE, so XLE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VTV annualized +7.39% vs +7.80% for XLE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTV or XLE?
XLE has been the more volatile fund at 25.9% annualized versus 14.5% for VTV. Worst drawdown: VTV -61.3% vs XLE -76.7%.
Should I hold both VTV and XLE?
VTV and XLE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 VTV and XLE?
92.5% of XLE's money is in holdings VTV also owns. 92.5% of XLE's is in holdings VTV also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 299 positions we hold weights for in VTV and 22 in XLE.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTV or XLE?
VTV yields 1.82% while XLE yields 2.37%, so XLE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLE better than VTV?
VTV has a lower expense ratio. VTV led over 3Y, XLE over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VTV is less concentrated, with 22.5% 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.