AEP vs. XLU
Compare and contrast key facts about American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) and Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU).
XLU is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Utilities Select Sector Index. It was launched on Dec 16, 1998.
Performance
AEP vs. XLU - Performance Comparison
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AEP vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AEP American Electric Power Company, Inc. | 15.09% | 29.38% | 18.18% | -10.98% | 10.38% | 10.68% | -9.01% | 30.52% | 5.38% | 20.95% |
XLU Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund | 8.77% | 16.03% | 23.31% | -7.18% | 1.44% | 17.70% | 0.51% | 25.93% | 3.94% | 12.05% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AEP achieves a 15.09% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 8.77% return. Over the past 10 years, AEP has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 10.82%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.79% annualized return.
AEP
- 1D
- 0.45%
- 1M
- -1.22%
- YTD
- 15.09%
- 6M
- 18.63%
- 1Y
- 25.55%
- 3Y*
- 17.44%
- 5Y*
- 13.05%
- 10Y*
- 10.82%
XLU
- 1D
- 0.48%
- 1M
- -1.98%
- YTD
- 8.77%
- 6M
- 6.26%
- 1Y
- 19.98%
- 3Y*
- 14.30%
- 5Y*
- 10.90%
- 10Y*
- 9.79%
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Return for Risk
AEP vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank
AEP
XLU
AEP vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) and Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU). 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.
| AEP | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.40 | 1.27 | +0.12 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.07 | 1.73 | +0.34 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.23 | +0.03 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.78 | 2.21 | +0.57 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.29 | 5.31 | +0.98 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| AEP | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.40 | 1.27 | +0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.66 | 0.64 | +0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 | 0.51 | +0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.30 | 0.41 | -0.11 |
Correlation
The correlation between AEP and XLU is 0.77, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
AEP vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison
AEP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.86%, more than XLU's 2.58% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AEP American Electric Power Company, Inc. | 2.86% | 3.24% | 3.87% | 4.15% | 3.34% | 3.37% | 3.41% | 2.87% | 3.39% | 3.25% | 3.61% | 3.69% |
XLU Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund | 2.58% | 2.71% | 2.96% | 3.39% | 2.92% | 2.79% | 3.14% | 2.95% | 3.33% | 3.33% | 3.41% | 3.67% |
Drawdowns
AEP vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AEP drawdown since its inception was -62.75%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AEP and XLU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AEP | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.75% | -51.98% | -10.77% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.84% | -9.18% | +0.34% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.56% | -25.26% | -4.30% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -32.91% | -36.07% | +3.16% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.85% | -2.72% | +0.87% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.60% | -10.26% | -7.34% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.90% | 3.82% | +0.08% |
Volatility
AEP vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison
American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) and Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) have volatilities of 5.01% and 5.09%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| AEP | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.01% | 5.09% | -0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.95% | 10.36% | +2.59% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.42% | 15.79% | +2.63% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.77% | 17.18% | +2.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.89% | 19.21% | +1.68% |