VTV vs XLV
Vanguard Morningstar Value ETF vs State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VTV or XLV?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTV has a lower expense ratio. VTV led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XLV over the full window. VTV is less concentrated, with 23.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.7%.
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 | XLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $187.8B | $44.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.82% | 1.49% |
| Holdings | 311 | 63 |
| YTD Return | +16.54%Best | +7.44% |
| 1Y Return | +23.50%Best | +22.74% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.57%Best | +9.43% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.54%Best | +6.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.3% | -40.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,052Best | $13,490 |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.6%Best | 60.7% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Sep 10, 2026 (22.6 years).
VTV vs XLV 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 22.6 years both funds cover.
VTV vs XLV Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Value ETF (VTV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year VTV returned +23.50% while XLV returned +22.74%. Year to date, VTV is up 16.54% versus a gain of 7.44% for XLV.
Over three years, VTV compounded at +18.57% per year against +9.43% for XLV; over five years the annualized figures are +12.54% and +6.17% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, XLV has the edge at +8.12% annualized vs +7.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 13.7% for XLV. 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 -40.6% for XLV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTV charges 0.03% per year while XLV 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 1.49% for XLV.
Holdings Overlap
15.1% of VTV's money is in holdings XLV also owns. 73.4% of XLV's money is in holdings VTV also owns.
Most of XLV is already inside VTV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
36 positions in common, counted across the 308 positions we hold weights for in VTV and 61 in XLV, against full books of 311 and 63.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 308 and 61 positions we hold weights for.
VTV holds 263 positions XLV does not, 82.3% of the fund.
Largest: MU 4.87%, JPM 3.06%, BRK.B 2.95%, XOM 2.12%, WMT 1.86%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VTV | Weight in XLV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 2.29% | 10.43% | 8.14% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.66% | 7.26% | 5.60% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 1.41% | 6.18% | 4.77% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 1.19% | 5.31% | 4.12% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.73% | 3.71% | 2.98% |
| TMOThermo Fisher Scientific Inc | 0.70% | 3.69% | 2.99% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 0.59% | 3.14% | 2.55% |
| GILDGilead Sciences Inc | 0.59% | 2.76% | 2.17% |
| PFEPfizer, Inc. | 0.51% | 2.55% | 2.04% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 0.44% | 2.21% | 1.77% |
73.4% of XLV 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 XLV?
VTV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XLV charges 0.08%. VTV is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTV or XLV?
Over the past year VTV returned +23.50% vs +22.74% for XLV, so VTV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VTV annualized +7.51% vs +8.12% for XLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTV or XLV?
VTV has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 13.7% for XLV. Worst drawdown: VTV -61.3% vs XLV -40.6%.
Should I hold both VTV and XLV?
VTV and XLV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 XLV?
73.4% of XLV's money is in holdings VTV also owns. 73.4% of XLV's is in holdings VTV also owns. They hold 36 positions in common, counted across the 308 positions we hold weights for in VTV and 61 in XLV.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTV or XLV?
VTV yields 1.82% while XLV yields 1.49%, so VTV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLV better than VTV?
VTV has a lower expense ratio. VTV led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XLV over the full window. VTV is less concentrated, with 23.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.