What Is the VOX ETF? Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs at a Glance
VOX (Vanguard Communication Services ETF) holds a broad range of large-, mid-, and small-cap internet, media, and telecom companies, with low fees and sector diversification as its strengths. Comparing fees and dividends against similar ETFs such as XLC and FCOM is a key selection criterion before investing.
SubscribeWhat Is the Vanguard Communication Services ETF?
This sector ETF tracks an index representing the US communication services sector, and it holds a broad range of large-, mid-, and small-cap companies in internet, media, and telecom.
It suits sector-rotation and long-term investors who want concentrated exposure to the communication services sector.
It is a passively managed (index-tracking) ETF run by Vanguard.
How Does the Vanguard Communication Services ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | MSCI US IMI Communication Services 25/50 Index |
| Management Style | Passive (full replication) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | Quarterly |
| Dividend Frequency | Quarterly |
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% |
The fund uses full replication, holding the index constituents in proportion to their market capitalization, and applies sampling only as a supplement where regulatory constraints exist. It holds a wide range of companies, from large internet and media firms to small and mid-sized telecom companies.
- Broad composition covering large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks within the sector
- A core sector ETF with a low fee level
Vanguard Communication Services ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Expense Ratio)
Assets under management (AUM) are $5.6B, and the expense ratio is 0.09% per year.
Compared with XLC and FCOM, which track the same sector, it differs in construction method and fee structure, and the scale of liquidity also differs among them.
Vanguard Communication Services ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeThe fund tends to move in line with the earnings of large internet and media companies and with trends in the advertising market, and it tends to react sensitively to changes in interest rates and growth-stock sentiment.
Fund flows tend to be active during sector rotation phases: inflows can appear when growth-stock preference is strong, while relative outflows can occur during defensive phases.
Vanguard Communication Services ETF Strengths and Weaknesses
Its strengths are low fees and broad sector diversification, while its weakness is that a large weighting in a few big holdings exposes it to single-stock risk.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Vanguard Communication Services ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products
The two products shown in the table, XLC and FCOM, are similar ETFs tracking the same communication services sector, though they differ in issuer and fee structure, while XTL is more concentrated in the telecom subsector. Beyond the table, other approaches to the same sector worth reviewing include iShares' IXP, IYZ with its heavier focus on telecom, and FDN centered on internet companies. For an adjacent growth sector, the technology sector ETFs VGT and XLK can also serve as comparison candidates.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 XLC | State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF | $101.21 | -1.9% | $22.2B | 0.08% | 1.36% | -13.0% |
 FCOM | Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF | $65.57 | -2.1% | $1.6B | 0.08% | 1.04% | -9.1% |
 XTL | State Street SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | $195.89 | +0.4% | $478.5M | 0.35% | 0.99% | +28.2% |
 GXPC | Global X PureCap MSCI Communication Services ETF | $26.45 | -6.6% | $122.7M | 0.15% | 0.36% | -9.1% |
 TRUC | VanEck Communication Services TruSector ETF | $22.68 | -4.1% | $98.2M | 0.14% | 0.49% | - |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| META | Meta Platforms Inc | 0.44% | $624.52 | +2.0% | $1.60T | 21.3 | 0.3% |
| GOOG | Alphabet Inc | 0.16% | $282.32 | -12.3% | $3.47T | 14.7 | 0.31% |
| GOOGL | Alphabet Inc | 0.35% | $283.82 | -12.6% | $3.45T | 14.8 | 0.31% |
| NFLX | Netflix Inc | 0.05% | $62.05 | +0.1% | $254.8B | 17.9 | - |
| VZ | Verizon Communications Inc | 0.09% | $43.66 | +1.1% | $181.4B | 11.1 | 6.47% |
| T | AT&T Inc | 0.04% | $20.92 | +1.1% | $140.9B | 11.3 | 5.31% |
Vanguard Communication Services ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in VOX. As a sector-concentrated ETF, it is worth checking in advance the concentration in a few large holdings and the sector-specific regulatory and advertising market risks.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Check the cumulative cost impact over a long holding period | Remains at a low level |
| 📊 Top Holding Concentration | Track the trend in the weighting of a few large companies | High weighting in large holdings |
| 🔄 Similar ETF Comparison | Check differences in fees and liquidity versus XLC and FCOM | Needs review |
| 📡 Sector-Specific Risk | Review advertising market and telecom regulation issues | Needs ongoing monitoring |
Because a few large internet and media companies carry heavy weight, volatility can increase depending on individual company earnings and regulatory issues. Given its sector concentration, price swings can be larger than those of broad-market ETFs.
It is regarded as a core sector ETF offering broad exposure to the communication services sector at a low fee. It is advisable to choose after comparing fees and liquidity against similar ETFs such as XLC and FCOM.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of July 1, 2026.
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