VUG vs XLK
Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF vs State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VUG or XLK?
XLK has been ahead.
VUG has a lower expense ratio. XLK led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. VUG is less concentrated, with 60.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.3%.
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 | VUG | XLK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $219.5B | $119.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.40% | 0.43% |
| Holdings | 146 | 77 |
| YTD Return | +8.86% | +30.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.88% | +39.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.37% | +30.96%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.31% | +20.02%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5%Best | 18.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -51.4%Best | -53.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,869 | $24,904Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 60.3%Best | 61.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Sep 11, 2026 (22.6 years).
VUG vs XLK 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.
VUG vs XLK Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year VUG returned +12.88% while XLK returned +39.20%. Year to date, VUG is up 8.86% versus a gain of 30.37% for XLK.
Over three years, VUG compounded at +23.37% per year against +30.96% for XLK; over five years the annualized figures are +12.31% and +20.02% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, XLK has the edge at +13.75% annualized vs +11.18%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 16.5% for VUG. 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 -51.4% for VUG and -53.6% for XLK. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VUG charges 0.03% per year while XLK 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, VUG currently yields 0.40% against 0.43% for XLK.
Holdings Overlap
54.6% of VUG's money is in holdings XLK also owns. 82.0% of XLK's money is in holdings VUG also owns.
Most of XLK is already inside VUG. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
41 positions in common, counted across the 146 positions we hold weights for in VUG and 74 in XLK, against full books of 146 and 77.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 146 and 74 positions we hold weights for.
VUG holds 102 positions XLK does not, 44.9% of the fund.
Largest: GOOGL 5.74%, GOOG 4.52%, AMZN 4.46%, META 3.40%, TSLA 3.26%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VUG | Weight in XLK | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 12.60% | 14.47% | 1.87% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 11.64% | 12.26% | 0.62% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 7.60% | 9.91% | 2.31% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.27% | 5.40% | 1.13% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 2.61% | 4.01% | 1.40% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 1.59% | 2.79% | 1.20% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 1.50% | 2.54% | 1.04% |
| INTCIntel Corp. | 0.79% | 3.13% | 2.34% |
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 0.71% | 2.57% | 1.86% |
| KLACKla Corp. | 1.10% | 1.69% | 0.59% |
82.0% of XLK is already inside VUG.
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, VUG or XLK?
VUG has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XLK charges 0.08%. VUG is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VUG or XLK?
Over the past year VUG returned +12.88% vs +39.20% for XLK, so XLK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VUG annualized +11.18% vs +13.75% for XLK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VUG or XLK?
XLK has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 16.5% for VUG. Worst drawdown: VUG -51.4% vs XLK -53.6%.
Should I hold both VUG and XLK?
VUG and XLK have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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 VUG and XLK?
82.0% of XLK's money is in holdings VUG also owns. 82.0% of XLK's is in holdings VUG also owns. They hold 41 positions in common, counted across the 146 positions we hold weights for in VUG and 74 in XLK.
Which pays a higher dividend, VUG or XLK?
VUG yields 0.40% while XLK yields 0.43%, so XLK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLK better than VUG?
VUG has a lower expense ratio. XLK led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. VUG is less concentrated, with 60.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.