Vanguard ETFs Compared in Motley Fool Guides

The Motley Fool published a side‑by‑side analysis of the State Street SPDR S&P Bank ETF (KBE) and the Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH). The report notes that KBE charges a 0.35% expense ratio and delivered a 22.8% one‑year return, while VFH’s lower 0.09% fee generated an 8.7% return. Dividend yields are 2.1% for KBE and 1.7% for VFH, with assets under management of roughly $1.6 billion versus $13.9 billion. Top holdings in VFH include JPMorgan Chase, Berkshire Hathaway and Mastercard, whereas KBE focuses on a broader set of banks.

A second guide contrasts the Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) with the First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (FTXG). VDC’s expense ratio of 0.09% is far cheaper than FTXG’s 0.60%, while VDC posted a 5.73% one‑year return compared with 3.23% for FTXG. Dividend yields are 2.13% for VDC and 2.59% for FTXG. VDC manages about $9.2 billion and holds 103 stocks, led by Walmart, Costco and Procter & Gamble; FTXG manages roughly $23 million across 30 stocks, with top positions in Archer‑Daniels‑Midland, Coca‑Cola and Kraft Heinz. Both pieces highlight the trade‑off between broad‑sector exposure and narrower industry focus, as well as the cost advantages of Vanguard’s funds.