^SIXU vs. AWK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

^SIXU (Utilities Select Sector Index) is an index, while AWK (American Water Works Company, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, ^SIXU returned 5.75%/yr vs 7.02%/yr for AWK. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

^SIXU vs. AWK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Utilities Select Sector Index (^SIXU) and American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^SIXU achieves a 1.90% return, which is significantly higher than AWK's -3.80% return. Over the past 10 years, ^SIXU has underperformed AWK with an annualized return of 5.75%, while AWK has yielded a comparatively higher 7.02% annualized return.

^SIXU

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: -6.16%
• YTD: 1.90%
• 6M: -0.15%
• 1Y: 6.22%
• 3Y*: 10.38%
• 5Y*: 6.00%
• 10Y*: 5.75%

AWK

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -1.70%
• YTD: -3.80%
• 6M: -4.15%
• 1Y: -10.43%
• 3Y*: -3.02%
• 5Y*: -2.55%
• 10Y*: 7.02%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

^SIXU vs. AWK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^SIXU Utilities Select Sector Index	1.90%	12.69%	19.58%	-10.20%	-1.12%	13.62%	-2.80%	22.24%	0.48%	8.32%
AWK American Water Works Company, Inc.	-3.80%	7.40%	-3.53%	-11.68%	-17.89%	24.83%	26.88%	37.79%	1.32%	29.01%

Correlation

The correlation between ^SIXU and AWK is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2009	0.67

Over the past year, the correlation between ^SIXU and AWK has dropped to 0.38 - well below their long-term average of 0.67, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

^SIXU vs. AWK — Risk / Return Rank

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

^SIXU

^SIXU Risk / Return Rank: 26
^SIXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
^SIXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
^SIXU Omega Ratio Rank: 24
^SIXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
^SIXU Martin Ratio Rank: 28

AWK

AWK Risk / Return Rank: 17
AWK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
AWK Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
AWK Omega Ratio Rank: 19
AWK Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
AWK Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

^SIXU vs. AWK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Utilities Select Sector Index (^SIXU) and American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK). 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.

	^SIXU	AWK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	-0.49	+0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.67	-0.58	+1.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	0.94	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.64	-0.68	+1.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.41	-1.29	+2.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^SIXU vs. AWK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^SIXU Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is higher than the AWK Sharpe Ratio of -0.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^SIXU and AWK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	^SIXU	AWK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42	-0.49	+0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	-0.11	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	0.30	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.57	-0.21

Drawdowns

^SIXU vs. AWK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^SIXU drawdown since its inception was -36.56%, roughly equal to the maximum AWK drawdown of -37.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^SIXU and AWK.

Drawdown Indicators

	^SIXU	AWK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.56%	-37.10%	+0.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.82%	-15.45%	+5.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.03%	-22.33%	+4.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.79%	-37.10%	+9.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.56%	-37.10%	+0.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.46%	-27.72%	+19.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.71%	-9.48%	+2.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.42%	8.09%	-3.67%

Volatility

^SIXU vs. AWK - Volatility Comparison

Utilities Select Sector Index (^SIXU) has a higher volatility of 5.58% compared to American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) at 5.10%. This indicates that ^SIXU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AWK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^SIXU	AWK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.58%	5.10%	+0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.69%	15.21%	-3.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.70%	21.30%	-6.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.34%	22.87%	-5.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.41%	23.69%	-4.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ^SIXU and AWK in my portfolio?

^SIXU and AWK have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ^SIXU or AWK?

^SIXU has higher volatility (5.58%) compared to AWK (5.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^SIXU dropped -36.56% vs AWK's -37.10%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

^SIXU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.42 vs -0.49), 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.