VGT vs XLK: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, XLK yields more: 0.50% (dividend yield) against 0.43% for VGT. XLK is cheaper to own at 0.08% a year vs 0.09%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), VGT returned 16.7% a year with distributions reinvested, and XLK 16.3%.
| Compared | VGT | XLK |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 0.43% | 0.50% |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.08% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +18.5% | +20.0% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +32.6% | +30.7% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +17.4% | +18.2% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +23.9% | +23.7% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -46.9% | -46.4% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | +1455% | +1247% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Vanguard | State Street Investment Management |
| Assets | $168.5B | $118.7B |
| Started | 2004 | 1998 |
| Type | Technology | Technology |
Higher yield
XLK
0.50%
Lower cost
XLK
0.08%
Better total return
VGT
16.7%/yr
Smaller worst drop
XLK
-46.4%
Key facts: VGT vs XLK
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, VGT yields 0.43% (dividend yield) and XLK yields 0.50% (dividend yield).
- VGT's expense ratio is 0.09% and XLK's is 0.08%: $9 vs $8 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in VGT grew to $184,771 (16.7% a year) and $10,000 in XLK to $172,274 (16.3% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -46.9% for VGT and -46.4% for XLK.
- 9 of VGT's top ten holdings are also in XLK's top ten, an overlap of at least 59% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "VGT vs XLK: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/vgt-vs-xlk
$10,000 in each, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
VGT became
$184,771
16.7% a year
XLK became
$172,274
16.3% a year
Year by year
| Year | VGT | XLK |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +21.8% | +24.6% |
| 2024 | +29.3% | +21.6% |
| 2023 | +52.7% | +56.0% |
| 2022 | −29.7% | −27.7% |
| 2021 | +30.5% | +34.8% |
| 2020 | +46.0% | +43.6% |
| 2019 | +48.6% | +49.8% |
| 2018 | +2.4% | −1.7% |
| 2017 | +37.2% | +34.2% |
| 2016 | +13.7% | +15.0% |
| 2015 | +5.0% | +5.5% |
| 2014 | +18.1% | +17.9% |
| 2013 | +30.9% | +26.2% |
| 2012 | +14.0% | +15.4% |
| 2011 | +0.6% | +2.5% |
| 2010 | +12.8% | +11.5% |
| 2009 | +61.6% | +51.1% |
| 2008 | −42.8% | −41.5% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
9 of the top ten overlap, at least 59% of each fund.
VGT
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp17.6%
- AAPL Apple Inc15.9%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp11.2%
- MU Micron Technology Inc4.5%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc4.1%
- AMD Advanced Micro Devices Inc3.7%
- INTC Intel Corp2.0%
- CSCO Cisco Systems Inc1.6%
- LRCX Lam Research Corp1.6%
- PLTR Palantir Technologies Inc Ordinary Shares - Class A1.5%
XLK
- AAPL Apple Inc15.3%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp15.1%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp11.8%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc4.7%
- AMD Advanced Micro Devices Inc4.5%
- MU Micron Technology Inc4.0%
- PLTR Palantir Technologies Inc Ordinary Shares - Class A2.6%
- CSCO Cisco Systems Inc2.5%
- INTC Intel Corp2.0%
- AMAT Applied Materials Inc1.9%
VGT vs XLK: questions
Is VGT or XLK better?
It depends on the job. XLK pays more today (0.50% vs 0.43%), XLK costs less, and VGT has the better total return over Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, with XLK holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, VGT or XLK?
XLK, at 0.50% against 0.43% for VGT as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $50 vs $43 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
VGT. From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 16.7% a year with distributions reinvested, against 16.3% for XLK. $10,000 became $184,771 vs $172,274.
Which is cheaper, VGT or XLK?
XLK, with a 0.08% expense ratio against 0.09%.
Do VGT and XLK hold the same things?
Partly. 9 of their top ten holdings match (AAPL, NVDA, MSFT, AVGO), at least 59% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. XLK leads on 5 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.