XLF vs XLV
State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF vs State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, XLF or XLV?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
XLF led over 3Y and 5Y, XLV over 1Y and the full window. XLF is less concentrated, with 56.7% 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 | XLF | XLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08%Tie | 0.08%Tie |
| AUM | $54.2B | $44.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.40% | 1.49% |
| Holdings | 80 | 63 |
| YTD Return | +4.43% | +7.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.64% | +22.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.07%Best | +9.43% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.54%Best | +6.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 14.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -83.8% | -40.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,504Best | $13,490 |
| Top 10 Weight | 56.7%Best | 60.7% |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 16, 1998 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 22, 1998 to Sep 10, 2026 (27.7 years).
XLF 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 27.7 years both funds cover.
XLF vs XLV Performance
State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year XLF returned +8.64% while XLV returned +22.74%. Year to date, XLF is up 4.43% versus a gain of 7.44% for XLV.
Over three years, XLF compounded at +20.07% per year against +9.43% for XLV; over five years the annualized figures are +10.54% and +6.17% respectively. Across the full 28-year window we track, XLV has the edge at +7.40% annualized vs +3.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 14.2% 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 -83.8% for XLF 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
XLF charges 0.08% per year while XLV charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $8 annually. On income, XLF currently yields 1.40% against 1.49% for XLV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 77 holdings in XLF and 61 in XLV, totalling 99.9% 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 77 positions we hold weights for in XLF and 61 in XLV, against full books of 80 and 63.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 77 and 61 positions we hold weights for.
XLF holds 75 positions XLV does not, 99.7% of the fund.
Largest: JPM 11.96%, BRK.B 11.43%, V 7.29%, MA 5.52%, BAC.K 5.17%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of XLF 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, XLF or XLV?
XLF has an expense ratio of 0.08% while XLV charges 0.08%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, XLF or XLV?
Over the past year XLF returned +8.64% vs +22.74% for XLV, so XLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (28 years), XLF annualized +3.62% vs +7.40% for XLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, XLF or XLV?
XLF has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 14.2% for XLV. Worst drawdown: XLF -83.8% vs XLV -40.6%.
Should I hold both XLF and XLV?
XLF 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, XLF or XLV?
XLF yields 1.40% while XLV yields 1.49%, so XLV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLV better than XLF?
XLF led over 3Y and 5Y, XLV over 1Y and the full window. XLF is less concentrated, with 56.7% 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.