VXUS vs XLV
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XLV?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 3Y and 5Y, XLV 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 | VXUS | XLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $44.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 1.49% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 63 |
| YTD Return | +12.82%Best | +9.21% |
| 1Y Return | +19.86% | +24.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.33%Best | +10.27% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.46%Best | +6.78% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -28.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,714Best | $13,882 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
VXUS 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XLV Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) 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 VXUS returned +19.86% while XLV returned +24.63%. Year to date, VXUS is up 12.82% versus a gain of 9.21% for XLV.
Over three years, VXUS compounded at +19.33% per year against +10.27% for XLV; over five years the annualized figures are +9.46% and +6.78% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, XLV has the edge at +11.92% annualized vs +4.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 13.6% 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 -39.9% for VXUS and -28.8% 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XLV charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $8 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 1.49% for XLV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,082 holdings in VXUS and 61 in XLV, totalling 88.8% and 99.9% 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 8,082 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 61 in XLV, against full books of 8,747 and 63.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XLV 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, VXUS or XLV?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XLV charges 0.08%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XLV?
Over the past year VXUS returned +19.86% vs +24.63% for XLV, so XLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VXUS annualized +4.72% vs +11.92% for XLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XLV?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 13.6% for XLV. Worst drawdown: VXUS -39.9% vs XLV -28.8%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XLV?
VXUS and XLV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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, VXUS or XLV?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XLV yields 1.49%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLV better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 3Y and 5Y, XLV over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.