Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) belongs to the Materials category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with XLB. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to XLB
XLB charges 0.13% annually. There are 2 ETFs in the Materials category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | 0.08% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | XLB vs FMAT | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | 0.09% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | XLB vs VAW | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 0.29% | 19.51M | Apr 2010 | XLB vs PSCM | |
| State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | 0.35% | 7.25M | Jul 2025 | XLB vs XLBI | |
| SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF | 0.35% | 4.09B | Jun 2006 | XLB vs XME |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to XLB
XLB has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 31. There are 9 ETFs in the Materials category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 69.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Vectors Steel ETF | 69 | 158.61M | Oct 2006 | XLB vs SLX | |
| iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF | 58 | 2.16B | Jan 2012 | XLB vs PICK | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 51 | 375.65M | May 2007 | XLB vs FXZ | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 51 | 19.51M | Apr 2010 | XLB vs PSCM | |
| iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF | 43 | 1.21B | Jun 2000 | XLB vs IYM |
Top Performing XLB Alternatives (YTD)
XLB is at 13.14% YTD. There are 6 ETFs in the Materials category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 18.17%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Vectors Steel ETF | 18.17% | 158.61M | Oct 2006 | XLB vs SLX | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 17.63% | 375.65M | May 2007 | XLB vs FXZ | |
| WEBs Materials XLB Defined Volatility ETF | 16.74% | — | Jul 2025 | XLB vs DVXB | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 16.72% | 19.51M | Apr 2010 | XLB vs PSCM | |
| Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF | 14.77% | 175.45M | Nov 2006 | XLB vs RSPM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to XLB
XLB has 17.51% 1-year volatility. There is 1 ETF in the Materials category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 13.86%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | 13.86% | 7.25M | Jul 2025 | XLB vs XLBI | |
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | 18.50% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | XLB vs FMAT | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | 18.52% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | XLB vs VAW | |
| iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF | 18.70% | 251.18M | Jun 2008 | XLB vs WOOD | |
| Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF | 18.72% | 175.45M | Nov 2006 | XLB vs RSPM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to XLB
XLB has a 1-year max drawdown of -12.38%. There is 1 ETF in the Materials category with a shallower 1-year drawdown, going as shallow as -12.32%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF | -12.32% | 175.45M | Nov 2006 | XLB vs RSPM | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | -12.75% | 375.65M | May 2007 | XLB vs FXZ | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | -13.42% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | XLB vs VAW | |
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | -13.48% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | XLB vs FMAT | |
| iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF | -13.61% | 1.21B | Jun 2000 | XLB vs IYM |
Other ETFs from State Street
The 10 most viewed State Street ETFs shown here include SPY, GLD, XLK and span 10 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $783B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 65 | 10.67% | 783.21B | Jan 1993 | XLB vs SPY | |
| SPDR Gold Shares | Gold, Precious Metals | 21 | -7.91% | 132.10B | Nov 2004 | XLB vs GLD | |
| State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | Technology Equities | 54 | 23.60% | 120.59B | Dec 1998 | XLB vs XLK | |
| State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF | S&P 500, Large Cap Growth Equities | 44 | 10.85% | 52.75B | Sep 2000 | XLB vs SPYG | |
| State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ... | S&P 500, Dividend | 65 | 17.05% | 7.40B | Oct 2015 | XLB vs SPYD | |
| State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | Energy Equities | 59 | 29.29% | 36.33B | Dec 1998 | XLB vs XLE | |
| State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 66 | 10.74% | 158.31B | Nov 2005 | XLB vs SPYM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 22 | -7.79% | 27.70B | Jun 2018 | XLB vs GLDM | |
| State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | Utilities Equities | 31 | 7.94% | 23.51B | Dec 1998 | XLB vs XLU | |
| SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF | Government Bonds, Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.92% | 46.75B | May 2007 | XLB vs BIL |
Often Compared With XLB
Investors most often compare XLB with REMX, XLY, MXI. These 20 comparison targets span 13 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare XLB with Any Fund or Stock
Compare XLB with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair XLB with funds that move differently
Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to XLB.
Explore XLB Diversifiers