ADM vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ADM (Archer-Daniels-Midland Company) is a stock, while XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Over the past 10 years, ADM returned 9.88%/yr vs 25.62%/yr for XLK. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ADM vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ADM achieves a 47.07% return, which is significantly higher than XLK's 34.34% return. Over the past 10 years, ADM has underperformed XLK with an annualized return of 9.88%, while XLK has yielded a comparatively higher 25.62% annualized return.

ADM

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 5.97%
• YTD: 47.07%
• 6M: 42.44%
• 1Y: 82.04%
• 3Y*: 8.91%
• 5Y*: 6.90%
• 10Y*: 9.88%

XLK

• 1D: -1.56%
• 1M: 16.63%
• YTD: 34.34%
• 6M: 33.10%
• 1Y: 64.08%
• 3Y*: 33.46%
• 5Y*: 23.44%
• 10Y*: 25.62%

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

ADM vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ADM Archer-Daniels-Midland Company	47.07%	18.24%	-27.52%	-20.42%	39.98%	37.33%	12.44%	17.10%	5.28%	-9.48%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	34.34%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between ADM and XLK is -0.10, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 1998	0.31

The correlation between ADM and XLK shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (1 year) to 0.31 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ADM vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

ADM

ADM Risk / Return Rank: 94
ADM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ADM Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
ADM Omega Ratio Rank: 92
ADM Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
ADM Martin Ratio Rank: 94

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 82
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

ADM vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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.

	ADM	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.06	3.09	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.93	3.77	+0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.49	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.45	4.04	+2.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.00	13.55	+4.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ADM vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ADM Sharpe Ratio is 3.06, which is comparable to the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 3.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ADM and XLK, 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

	ADM	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.06	3.09	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.95	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	1.05	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.41	-0.15

Drawdowns

ADM vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ADM drawdown since its inception was -68.01%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ADM and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	ADM	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.01%	-82.05%	+14.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.79%	-15.92%	+3.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-49.22%	-25.66%	-23.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.14%	-33.56%	-20.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.14%	-33.56%	-20.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.65%	-2.54%	-2.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.60%	-34.95%	+13.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.57%	4.74%	-0.17%

Volatility

ADM vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) have volatilities of 7.30% and 7.27%, 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

	ADM	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.30%	7.27%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.08%	16.76%	+2.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.92%	20.86%	+6.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.21%	24.90%	+3.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.94%	24.49%	+2.45%

Dividends

ADM vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

ADM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.47%, more than XLK's 0.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ADM Archer-Daniels-Midland Company	2.47%	3.55%	3.96%	2.49%	1.72%	2.19%	2.86%	3.02%	3.27%	3.19%	2.63%	3.05%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.40%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ADM and XLK in my portfolio?

ADM and XLK have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ADM or XLK?

ADM has higher volatility (7.30%) compared to XLK (7.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ADM dropped -68.01% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.09 vs 3.06), 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.