AIQ vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AIQ (Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - AIQ tracks the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index while XLK tracks the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AIQ returned 19.07%/yr vs 23.83%/yr for XLK. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AIQ charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

AIQ vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with AIQ having a 35.98% return and XLK slightly higher at 36.47%.

AIQ

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: 21.10%
• YTD: 35.98%
• 6M: 36.15%
• 1Y: 69.19%
• 3Y*: 37.50%
• 5Y*: 19.07%
• 10Y*: —

XLK

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 21.09%
• YTD: 36.47%
• 6M: 35.71%
• 1Y: 66.93%
• 3Y*: 33.90%
• 5Y*: 23.83%
• 10Y*: 25.84%

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

AIQ vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AIQ Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF	35.98%	31.89%	24.11%	55.39%	-36.44%	17.09%	52.88%	39.94%	-14.03%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	36.47%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-9.84%

Correlation

The correlation between AIQ and XLK is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 17, 2018	0.90

The correlation between AIQ and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

AIQ vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIQ	XLK
Technology	73.3%	99.7%
Communication Services	13.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	-
Industrials	4.2%	0.1%
Healthcare	0.4%	-
Financial Services	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

AIQ vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIQ

AIQ Risk / Return Rank: 81
AIQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
AIQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
AIQ Omega Ratio Rank: 80
AIQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
AIQ Martin Ratio Rank: 75

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 83
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
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.

AIQ vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) 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.

	AIQ	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.02	3.24	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.70	3.92	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.52	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.22	4.22	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.59	14.16	+0.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AIQ vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIQ Sharpe Ratio is 3.02, which is comparable to the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 3.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIQ 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

	AIQ	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.02	3.24	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.96	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.06	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.42	+0.42

Drawdowns

AIQ vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIQ drawdown since its inception was -44.66%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIQ and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIQ	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.66%	-82.05%	+37.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.47%	-15.92%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.35%	-25.66%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.66%	-33.56%	-11.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	-1.00%	-0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.80%	-34.96%	+25.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.76%	4.74%	+0.02%

Volatility

AIQ vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) has a higher volatility of 8.60% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 6.98%. This indicates that AIQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIQ	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.60%	6.98%	+1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.46%	16.68%	+1.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.04%	20.82%	+2.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.33%	24.90%	+0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.50%	24.49%	+1.01%

AIQ vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIQ has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIQ vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

AIQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.14%, less than XLK's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIQ Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF	0.14%	0.18%	0.14%	0.16%	0.56%	0.15%	0.50%	0.51%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.39%	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 AIQ and XLK in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, AIQ and XLK move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, AIQ or XLK?

AIQ has higher volatility (8.60%) compared to XLK (6.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIQ dropped -44.66% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, AIQ or XLK?

On 5-year performance, XLK leads with 23.83% vs 19.07% for AIQ. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLK has been the lower-risk option at 6.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIQ or XLK?

Over the 5-year period, XLK has performed better with a 23.83% return vs 19.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIQ or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for AIQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIQ or XLK?

XLK has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.14% for AIQ.

What is the main difference between AIQ and XLK?

AIQ tracks Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for AIQ and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.24 vs 3.02), 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.