VV vs XLV
Vanguard Morningstar Large-Cap ETF vs State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VV or XLV?
Each has led over a different period.
VV has a lower expense ratio. VV led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XLV over 1Y. VV is less concentrated, with 38.0% 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 | VV | XLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $52.6B | $44.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.99% | 1.49% |
| Holdings | 437 | 63 |
| YTD Return | +14.19%Best | +10.18% |
| 1Y Return | +17.06% | +25.94%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.29%Best | +10.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.23%Best | +6.89% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.0% | -40.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,613Best | $13,954 |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.0%Best | 60.7% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 27, 2004 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Sep 22, 2026 (22.6 years).
VV 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.
VV vs XLV Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Large-Cap ETF (VV) 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 VV returned +17.06% while XLV returned +25.94%. Year to date, VV is up 14.19% versus a gain of 10.18% for XLV.
Over three years, VV compounded at +23.29% per year against +10.81% for XLV; over five years the annualized figures are +13.23% and +6.89% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VV has the edge at +9.50% annualized vs +8.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% 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 -56.0% for VV 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VV 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, VV currently yields 0.99% against 1.49% for XLV.
Holdings Overlap
9.1% of VV's money is in holdings XLV also owns. 96.3% of XLV's money is in holdings VV also owns.
Most of XLV is already inside VV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
45 positions in common, counted across the 431 positions we hold weights for in VV and 61 in XLV, against full books of 437 and 63.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 15 positions for XLV that do not appear in our book for VV (3.6% of the fund), and 376 for VV that do not appear in XLV (90.2%).
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 VV | Weight in XLV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.54% | 14.82% | 13.28% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.98% | 10.54% | 9.56% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.70% | 7.42% | 6.72% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.51% | 5.98% | 5.47% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 0.60% | 5.81% | 5.21% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.33% | 3.82% | 3.49% |
| TMOThermo Fisherscientific Inc. | 0.34% | 3.60% | 3.26% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 0.29% | 3.06% | 2.77% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 0.26% | 3.01% | 2.75% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 0.23% | 2.63% | 2.40% |
96.3% of XLV is already inside VV.
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, VV or XLV?
VV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XLV charges 0.08%. VV is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VV or XLV?
Over the past year VV returned +17.06% vs +25.94% for XLV, so XLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VV annualized +9.50% vs +8.23% for XLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VV or XLV?
VV has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 13.7% for XLV. Worst drawdown: VV -56.0% vs XLV -40.6%.
Should I hold both VV and XLV?
VV and XLV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 VV and XLV?
96.3% of XLV's money is in holdings VV also owns. 96.3% of XLV's is in holdings VV also owns. They hold 45 positions in common, counted across the 431 positions we hold weights for in VV and 61 in XLV.
Which pays a higher dividend, VV or XLV?
VV yields 0.99% while XLV yields 1.49%, so XLV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLV better than VV?
VV has a lower expense ratio. VV led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XLV over 1Y. VV is less concentrated, with 38.0% 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.