XLVvsVHTETF Comparison
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State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) belong to the same industry segment: US Health Care. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: and Health Care. XLV is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.08%, versus 0.09% for VHT. XLV is down -4.53% year-to-date (YTD) with +$315M in YTD flows. VHT performs better with -4.12% YTD performance, and -$264M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of XLV and VHT below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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XLV vs VHT performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 05/20/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XLV VHT | -0.16%-0.47% | -5.74%-4.82% | -4.53%-4.12% | +11.15%+13.07% | +17.69%+18.50% | +28.24%+23.17% |
| Flows | XLV VHT | -$607M-$51M | -$1.09B-$183M | +$315M-$264M | -$315M-$652M | -$6.33B-$2.59B | +$4.98B-$453M |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | XLV VHT | +15.37%+15.57% | +14.66%+14.46% | +13.81%+13.85% | +14.63%+15.10% |
| Max drawdown | XLV VHT | -10.51%-9.89% | -10.51%-10.39% | -17.05%-16.88% | -17.05%-17.77% |
| Max drawdown duration | XLV VHT | 80d80d | 80d133d | 444d435d | 444d767d |
Trading data
XLV | VHT | |
Last sale 5/21/2026 at 2:53 PM | $147.25 | $274.85 |
| Previous close 05/20/2026 | $147.13 | $274.77 |
| Consolidated volume 05/20/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of April 30, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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XLV | VHT | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 5/21/2026 at 2:53 PM
Live
Closed
XLV | VHT | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $147.25 | $274.85 |
| 1D performance | +0.08% | +0.03% |
| AuM | $37.97 B | $16.30 B |
| E/R | 0.08% | 0.09% |
Characteristics
XLV | VHT | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard |
| Benchmark | S&P Health Care Select Sector Index | MSCI US IMI Health Care 25/50 Index |
| N° of holdings | 56 | 347 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | December 16, 1998 | January 26, 2004 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
XLV
USA
97.26%
Other
2.74%
VHT
USA
96.72%
Other
3.28%
Sectors
XLV
Health Care
98.29%
Other
1.71%
VHT
Health Care
96.98%
Other
3.02%
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Diversification
XLV
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
70.96%
VHT
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
60.6%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of March 31, 2026
XLV
LILLY
13.74%
JOHNSON&JOHNSON
11.10%
ABBVIE
7.25%
MERCK & CO INC
5.63%
UNITEDHEALTH GRP
4.62%
AMGEN-T
3.57%
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC
3.48%
ABBOTT LABS
3.37%
GILEAD SCIENCES
3.26%
INTUITIVE SURGICAL
3.09%
PFIZER
3.01%
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB
2.33%
DANAHER
2.25%
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS
2.14%
STRYKER
2.13%
VHT
LILLY
11.89%
JOHNSON&JOHNSON
9.34%
ABBVIE
6.18%
MERCK & CO INC
4.80%
UNITEDHEALTH GRP
3.94%
AMGEN-T
3.05%
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC
2.97%
ABBOTT LABS
2.87%
GILEAD SCIENCES
2.78%
INTUITIVE SURGICAL
2.63%
PFIZER
2.57%
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB
1.99%
DANAHER
1.94%
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS
1.82%
STRYKER
1.82%
Frequently asked questions about XLV and VHT
How have the XLV and VHT ETFs performed in 2026?
As of May 20, 2026, XLV is down -4.53% year-to-date (YTD), while VHT has lost -4.12%. That puts VHT better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: XLV or VHT?
Year-to-date, the XLV ETF saw +$315M in flows, compared to -$264M for VHT.
Which ETF is more volatile: XLV or VHT?
Over the past year, XLV had a volatility of 14.66%, while VHT experienced 14.46%.
Which ETF is bigger: XLV or VHT?
As of May 20, 2026, XLV holds $37.97 B in assets under management (AUM), while VHT manages $16.30 B.
What sectors do the XLV and VHT ETFs invest in?
XLV leans toward sectors like Health Care. Meanwhile, VHT focuses on Health Care.
What are the top holdings of the XLV ETF and VHT ETF?
XLV top holdings include LILLY, JOHNSON&JOHNSON and ABBVIE. VHT holds in its top three: LILLY, JOHNSON&JOHNSON and ABBVIE.
Which ETF is more diversified: XLV or VHT?
XLV holds 59 securities with 70.96% of its assets in the top 15. VHT has 403 securities and a top 15 weight of 60.6%.
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