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^DJI vs. XLV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility

Performance

^DJI vs. XLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^DJI achieves a 9.23% return, which is significantly higher than XLV's 5.16% return. Over the past 10 years, ^DJI has outperformed XLV with an annualized return of 10.98%, while XLV has yielded a comparatively lower 9.92% annualized return.


^DJI

1D
-0.26%
1M
2.53%
6M
5.86%
YTD
9.23%
1Y
18.32%
3Y*
15.01%
5Y*
8.49%
10Y*
10.98%

XLV

1D
0.35%
1M
5.40%
6M
3.44%
YTD
5.16%
1Y
21.48%
3Y*
8.82%
5Y*
6.34%
10Y*
9.92%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

^DJI vs. XLV - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
^DJI
Dow Jones Industrial Average
9.23%12.97%12.88%13.70%-8.78%18.73%7.25%22.34%-5.63%25.08%
XLV
State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF
5.16%14.50%2.47%2.07%-2.08%26.04%13.30%20.45%6.28%21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between ^DJI and XLV is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.


Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.48

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.62

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.68

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.69

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1998

0.72

Over the past year, the correlation between ^DJI and XLV has dropped to 0.48 - well below their long-term average of 0.72, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

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Return for Risk

^DJI vs. XLV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

^DJI
^DJI Risk / Return Rank: 5858
Overall Rank
^DJI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6060
Sharpe Ratio Rank
^DJI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
^DJI Omega Ratio Rank: 6262
Omega Ratio Rank
^DJI Calmar Ratio Rank: 4545
Calmar Ratio Rank
^DJI Martin Ratio Rank: 5454
Martin Ratio Rank

XLV
XLV Risk / Return Rank: 4949
Overall Rank
XLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 5757
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLV Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
XLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 5252
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLV Martin Ratio Rank: 3939
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

^DJI vs. XLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.


^DJIXLVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

+0.12

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

+0.03

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.24

+0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.84

2.06

-0.22

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.99

4.88

+2.11

^DJI vs. XLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^DJI Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the XLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^DJI and XLV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.


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Drawdowns

^DJI vs. XLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^DJI drawdown since its inception was -53.78%, which is greater than XLV's maximum drawdown of -39.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^DJI and XLV.


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Drawdown Indicators


^DJIXLVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-53.78%

-39.17%

-14.61%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.01%

-10.47%

+0.46%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.37%

-17.11%

+0.74%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-21.94%

-17.11%

-4.83%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-37.09%

-28.40%

-8.69%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.05%

-1.84%

+0.79%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.01%

-7.11%

-0.90%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.63%

4.41%

-1.78%

Volatility

^DJI vs. XLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) is 2.97%, while State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) has a volatility of 5.76%. This indicates that ^DJI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


^DJIXLVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.97%

5.76%

-2.79%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.74%

11.53%

-1.79%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.35%

15.75%

-3.40%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.86%

14.93%

-0.07%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.59%

16.61%

+0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions


^DJI and XLV have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

XLV has higher volatility (5.76%) compared to ^DJI (2.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^DJI dropped -53.78% vs XLV's -39.17%.

^DJI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.49 vs 1.37), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for ^DJI and XLV

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

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