^SIXU vs. SO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

^SIXU (Utilities Select Sector Index) is an index, while SO (The Southern Company) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, ^SIXU returned 5.75%/yr vs 10.55%/yr for SO. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

^SIXU vs. SO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Utilities Select Sector Index (^SIXU) and The Southern Company (SO). 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 lower than SO's 5.45% return. Over the past 10 years, ^SIXU has underperformed SO with an annualized return of 5.75%, while SO has yielded a comparatively higher 10.55% 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%

SO

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: -4.95%
• YTD: 5.45%
• 6M: 4.52%
• 1Y: 4.31%
• 3Y*: 13.13%
• 5Y*: 11.08%
• 10Y*: 10.55%

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

^SIXU vs. SO - 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%
SO The Southern Company	5.45%	9.47%	21.72%	2.21%	8.24%	16.34%	0.63%	51.65%	-3.75%	2.42%

Correlation

The correlation between ^SIXU and SO is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2009	0.82

The correlation between ^SIXU and SO shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.82 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

^SIXU vs. SO — 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

SO

SO Risk / Return Rank: 45
SO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
SO Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
SO Omega Ratio Rank: 40
SO Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
SO Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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. SO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Utilities Select Sector Index (^SIXU) and The Southern Company (SO). 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	SO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	0.27	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.67	0.50	+0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.06	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.64	0.29	+0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.41	0.68	+0.73
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. SO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^SIXU Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is higher than the SO Sharpe Ratio of 0.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^SIXU and SO, 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	SO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42	0.27	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.60	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	0.48	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.62	-0.26

Drawdowns

^SIXU vs. SO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^SIXU drawdown since its inception was -36.56%, roughly equal to the maximum SO drawdown of -38.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^SIXU and SO.

Drawdown Indicators

	^SIXU	SO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.56%	-38.43%	+1.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.82%	-14.99%	+5.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.03%	-14.99%	-3.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.79%	-23.28%	-4.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.56%	-38.43%	+1.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.46%	-7.94%	-0.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.71%	-6.87%	+0.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.42%	6.32%	-1.90%

Volatility

^SIXU vs. SO - Volatility Comparison

Utilities Select Sector Index (^SIXU) and The Southern Company (SO) have volatilities of 5.58% and 5.85%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^SIXU	SO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.58%	5.85%	-0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.69%	12.95%	-1.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.70%	15.96%	-1.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.34%	18.64%	-1.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.41%	21.94%	-2.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

^SIXU and SO have a correlation of 0.71, 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 SO?

SO has higher volatility (5.85%) compared to ^SIXU (5.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^SIXU dropped -36.56% vs SO's -38.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

^SIXU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.42 vs 0.27), 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.