BIV vs XLK
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF vs State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, BIV or XLK?
XLK has been ahead.
BIV has a lower expense ratio. XLK led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | BIV | XLK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $28.1B | $126.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.50% | 0.43% |
| Holdings | 2,327 | 152 |
| YTD Return | -3.03% | +32.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.83% | +35.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.61% | +31.67%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.46% | +20.64%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.7%Best | 19.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.3%Best | -53.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,772 | $25,554Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 10, 2007 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.5 years).
BIV vs XLK 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
BIV vs XLK Performance
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (BIV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year BIV returned -2.83% while XLK returned +35.98%. Year to date, BIV is down 3.03% versus a gain of 32.44% for XLK.
Over three years, BIV compounded at +4.61% per year against +31.67% for XLK; over five years the annualized figures are -0.46% and +20.64% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, XLK has the edge at +15.51% annualized vs +0.86%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 5.7% for BIV. 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 -20.3% for BIV and -53.6% for XLK. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.21. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BIV charges 0.03% per year while XLK charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $8 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BIV currently yields 4.50% against 0.43% for XLK.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.7% of XLK's money is in holdings BIV also owns.
Stated as a floor: for BIV, our book for it covers 69.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
XLK and BIV share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1,599 positions we hold weights for in BIV and 74 in XLK, against full books of 2,327 and 152.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BIV | Weight in XLK | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORCLOracle Corp - Common | 0.10% | 1.66% | 1.56% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BIV and XLK 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, BIV or XLK?
BIV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XLK charges 0.08%. BIV is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BIV or XLK?
Over the past year BIV returned -2.83% vs +35.98% for XLK, so XLK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), BIV annualized +0.86% vs +15.51% for XLK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BIV or XLK?
XLK has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 5.7% for BIV. Worst drawdown: BIV -20.3% vs XLK -53.6%.
Should I hold both BIV and XLK?
BIV and XLK have a monthly-return correlation of 0.21, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between BIV and XLK?
At least 1.7% of XLK's money is in holdings BIV also owns. Our book for BIV is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 1,599 positions we hold weights for in BIV and 74 in XLK.
Which pays a higher dividend, BIV or XLK?
BIV yields 4.50% while XLK yields 0.43%, so BIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLK better than BIV?
BIV has a lower expense ratio. XLK led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.