VYM vs XLEI
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF
Which is better, VYM or XLEI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. XLEI led 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 | VYM | XLEI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $79M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 19.16% |
| Holdings | 613 | 6 |
| YTD Return | +11.71% | +30.06%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.24% | +37.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.24% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.86% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.6%Best | 13.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.7%Best | -8.2% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $12,007 | $13,932Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Jul 29, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 30, 2025 to Sep 16, 2026 (1.1 years).
VYM vs XLEI 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
VYM vs XLEI Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VYM returned +16.24% while XLEI returned +37.22%. Year to date, VYM is up 11.71% versus a gain of 30.06% for XLEI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLEI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.8% compared with 9.6% for VYM. 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 -6.7% for VYM and -8.2% for XLEI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XLEI charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $35 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 19.16% for XLEI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 557 holdings in VYM and 2 in XLEI, totalling 99.2% and 100.2% 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 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 2 in XLEI, against full books of 613 and 6.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and XLEI 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, VYM or XLEI?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XLEI charges 0.35%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XLEI?
Over the past year VYM returned +16.24% vs +37.22% for XLEI, so XLEI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VYM annualized +18.09% vs +35.18% for XLEI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XLEI?
XLEI has been the more volatile fund at 13.8% annualized versus 9.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -6.7% vs XLEI -8.2%.
Should I hold both VYM and XLEI?
VYM and XLEI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.05, 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, VYM or XLEI?
VYM yields 2.22% while XLEI yields 19.16%, so XLEI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLEI better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. XLEI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.