AVUS vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

AVUS (Avantis U.S. Equity ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. AVUS is actively managed, while XLU is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVUS returned 12.87%/yr vs 9.41%/yr for XLU. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AVUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

AVUS vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUS achieves a 13.94% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 5.04% return.

AVUS

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 0.95%
• YTD: 13.94%
• 6M: 13.87%
• 1Y: 31.83%
• 3Y*: 21.18%
• 5Y*: 12.87%
• 10Y*: —

XLU

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: -0.82%
• YTD: 5.04%
• 6M: 5.48%
• 1Y: 12.50%
• 3Y*: 13.79%
• 5Y*: 9.41%
• 10Y*: 9.20%

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

AVUS vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	13.94%	16.68%	20.43%	21.77%	-13.82%	28.73%	17.58%	8.55%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	5.04%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	0.83%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUS and XLU is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019	0.42

The correlation between AVUS and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (1 year) to 0.42 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AVUS vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUS	XLU
Technology	30.5%	-
Financial Services	14.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.4%	-
Industrials	11.2%	-
Communication Services	9.3%	-
Healthcare	7.0%	-
Energy	6.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	-
Basic Materials	2.6%	-
Utilities	2.3%	100.0%
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

AVUS vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVUS

AVUS Risk / Return Rank: 85
AVUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
AVUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
AVUS Omega Ratio Rank: 84
AVUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
AVUS Martin Ratio Rank: 89

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 26
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

AVUS vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AVUS	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	0.81	+1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	1.18	+2.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.15	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.88	1.30	+2.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.32	2.80	+14.52

AVUS vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUS and XLU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AVUS vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUS drawdown since its inception was -37.04%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUS and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUS	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.04%	-51.98%	+14.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.85%	-9.18%	+1.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.74%	-17.26%	-2.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.19%	-25.26%	+3.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.97%	-6.05%	+5.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.08%	-10.22%	+5.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.76%	4.25%	-2.49%

Volatility

AVUS vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) is 4.40%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.59%. This indicates that AVUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUS	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.40%	5.59%	-1.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.64%	11.68%	-2.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.60%	14.66%	-2.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.35%	17.34%	+0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.84%	19.27%	+1.57%

AVUS vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AVUS vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

AVUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%, less than XLU's 2.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	1.18%	1.08%	1.27%	1.41%	1.59%	1.08%	1.19%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.67%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUS and XLU in my portfolio?

AVUS and XLU have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVUS or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to AVUS (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUS dropped -37.04% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, AVUS or XLU?

On 5-year performance, AVUS leads with 12.87% vs 9.41% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, AVUS has been the lower-risk option at 4.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVUS or XLU?

Over the 5-year period, AVUS has performed better with a 12.87% return vs 9.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVUS or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for AVUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVUS or XLU?

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 1.18% for AVUS.

What is the main difference between AVUS and XLU?

AVUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AVUS and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 0.81), 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.