Compare/Updated Oct 26, 2026, refreshed every trading day
VFH vs XLF
Vanguard Financials ETF against State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF: 4 years of returns, risk and today’s technical read, from Kavout’s own data.
VFH did slightly better over the period: $1,000 invested on October 28, 2022 would be worth $1,752 versus $1,748 for XLF, a 75.2% versus 74.8% gain. The difference is small and reflects their extremely high 0.991 correlation, although VFH moved 1.04% for each 1% move in XLF. XLF had the edge over shorter periods, including three months, six months, and YTD, while VFH led over three years. Risk was also similar: VFH’s 12-month volatility was 14.7% versus 14.5% for XLF, and its worst drawdown was deeper at -17.3% versus -16.3%. XLF costs slightly less, with a 0.08% expense ratio versus 0.09%, and has substantially larger assets. Overall, VFH delivered the marginally higher long-term return, but XLF offered slightly lower volatility, drawdown, and fees.
- Price is above its 200-day average ($130); 50-day at $137.
- RSI 55, neutral. Supertrend says buy. ADX 25, so the trend is developing.
- Price is above its 200-day average ($53); 50-day at $56.
- RSI 55, neutral. Supertrend says buy. ADX 26, so the trend is strong.
Head to head
Which has returned more, VFH or XLF?
VFH beat XLF in 26 of the last 48 months; XLF won the other 22. The typical monthly gap was 0.38 points.
Total return by period
Which is riskier?
VFH: Feb 18, 2025 to Apr 8, 2025; XLF: Feb 7, 2023 to Mar 17, 2023
- 0.991
- correlation of daily moves, 4 years
- 1.04
- VFH move per 1% in XLF
- 0.995
- correlation, last 12 months
Month by month
Of the last 48 months. The typical gap was 0.38 points.
When did they diverge?
| Month | VFH | XLF | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 2023 | +6.8% | +5.3% | +1.54 pts |
| July 2023 | +6.0% | +4.8% | +1.25 pts |
| January 2024 | +1.9% | +3.1% | -1.21 pts |
| February 2025 | +0.2% | +1.4% | -1.20 pts |
Where the numbers come from. 1000 daily adjusted closes per fund from the Kavout market-data API, dividends included. Signals and indicators are Kavout’s own, refreshed nightly. Every figure is calculated from those adjusted closes.
Holdings and fees
What do you actually own with VFH and XLF?
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