AXTA vs. XLB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AXTA (Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.) is a stock, while XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Materials fund tracking the Materials Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, AXTA returned 1.16%/yr vs 10.23%/yr for XLB. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

AXTA vs. XLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (AXTA) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AXTA achieves a -3.50% return, which is significantly lower than XLB's 14.35% return. Over the past 10 years, AXTA has underperformed XLB with an annualized return of 1.16%, while XLB has yielded a comparatively higher 10.23% annualized return.

AXTA

• 1D: 2.63%
• 1M: 16.82%
• YTD: -3.50%
• 6M: 3.93%
• 1Y: 1.73%
• 3Y*: -0.27%
• 5Y*: -0.89%
• 10Y*: 1.16%

XLB

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.93%
• YTD: 14.35%
• 6M: 17.15%
• 1Y: 19.99%
• 3Y*: 11.71%
• 5Y*: 5.35%
• 10Y*: 10.23%

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

AXTA vs. XLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AXTA Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.	-3.50%	-5.58%	0.74%	33.37%	-23.10%	16.01%	-6.09%	29.80%	-27.63%	18.97%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	14.35%	9.94%	0.15%	12.46%	-12.30%	27.44%	20.46%	24.13%	-14.88%	24.01%

Correlation

The correlation between AXTA and XLB is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2014	0.63

The correlation between AXTA and XLB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AXTA vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

AXTA

AXTA Risk / Return Rank: 40
AXTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
AXTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
AXTA Omega Ratio Rank: 36
AXTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
AXTA Martin Ratio Rank: 42

XLB

XLB Risk / Return Rank: 32
XLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
XLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
XLB Omega Ratio Rank: 30
XLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
XLB Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

AXTA vs. XLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (AXTA) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). 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.

	AXTA	XLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.06	1.20	-1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.32	1.76	-1.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.21	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.06	1.62	-1.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.14	5.06	-4.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AXTA vs. XLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AXTA Sharpe Ratio is 0.06, which is lower than the XLB Sharpe Ratio of 1.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AXTA and XLB, 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

	AXTA	XLB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.06	1.20	-1.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.03	0.28	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04	0.50	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.11	0.36	-0.25

Drawdowns

AXTA vs. XLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AXTA drawdown since its inception was -63.60%, which is greater than XLB's maximum drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AXTA and XLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	AXTA	XLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.60%	-59.83%	-3.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.48%	-12.38%	-16.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-38.39%	-23.17%	-15.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.39%	-24.72%	-13.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.60%	-37.27%	-26.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.49%	-3.28%	-21.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.72%	-10.84%	-10.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.12%	3.96%	+8.16%

Volatility

AXTA vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (AXTA) has a higher volatility of 10.24% compared to Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) at 5.73%. This indicates that AXTA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AXTA	XLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.24%	5.73%	+4.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.27%	12.85%	+11.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.04%	16.78%	+14.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.42%	18.94%	+11.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.20%	20.65%	+11.55%

Dividends

AXTA vs. XLB - Dividend Comparison

AXTA has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.69%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AXTA Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.69%	1.92%	1.92%	2.00%	2.26%	1.62%	1.72%	1.98%	2.20%	1.66%	1.95%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AXTA and XLB in my portfolio?

AXTA and XLB have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AXTA or XLB?

AXTA has higher volatility (10.24%) compared to XLB (5.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AXTA dropped -63.60% vs XLB's -59.83%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.20 vs 0.06), 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.