BALL vs. XLB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BALL (Ball Corporation) is a stock, while XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Materials fund tracking the Materials Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, BALL returned 4.71%/yr vs 10.23%/yr for XLB. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

BALL vs. XLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ball Corporation (BALL) 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, BALL achieves a 0.40% return, which is significantly lower than XLB's 14.35% return. Over the past 10 years, BALL has underperformed XLB with an annualized return of 4.71%, while XLB has yielded a comparatively higher 10.23% annualized return.

BALL

• 1D: -1.71%
• 1M: -12.98%
• YTD: 0.40%
• 6M: 9.03%
• 1Y: 0.27%
• 3Y*: 0.39%
• 5Y*: -7.33%
• 10Y*: 4.71%

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)

BALL vs. XLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BALL Ball Corporation	0.40%	-2.43%	-2.96%	14.15%	-46.23%	4.12%	45.19%	41.83%	22.65%	1.79%
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 BALL and XLB is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 1998	0.56

The correlation between BALL and XLB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BALL vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

BALL

BALL Risk / Return Rank: 38
BALL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
BALL Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
BALL Omega Ratio Rank: 35
BALL Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
BALL Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

BALL vs. XLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ball Corporation (BALL) 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.

	BALL	XLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.01	1.20	-1.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.21	1.76	-1.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.21	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.01	1.62	-1.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.02	5.06	-5.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BALL vs. XLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BALL Sharpe Ratio is 0.01, which is lower than the XLB Sharpe Ratio of 1.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BALL 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

	BALL	XLB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.01	1.20	-1.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.24	0.28	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17	0.50	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.36	+0.04

Drawdowns

BALL vs. XLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALL drawdown since its inception was -55.09%, smaller than the maximum XLB drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALL and XLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALL	XLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.09%	-59.83%	+4.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.96%	-12.38%	-9.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.62%	-23.17%	-12.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.09%	-24.72%	-30.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.09%	-37.27%	-17.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-42.44%	-3.28%	-39.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.48%	-10.84%	-5.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.28%	3.96%	+8.32%

Volatility

BALL vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison

Ball Corporation (BALL) has a higher volatility of 9.32% compared to Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) at 5.73%. This indicates that BALL'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

	BALL	XLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.32%	5.73%	+3.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.77%	12.85%	+6.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.96%	16.78%	+9.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.39%	18.94%	+11.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.31%	20.65%	+7.66%

Dividends

BALL vs. XLB - Dividend Comparison

BALL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.51%, less than XLB's 1.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BALL Ball Corporation	1.51%	1.51%	1.45%	1.39%	1.56%	0.73%	0.64%	0.85%	0.87%	0.96%	0.69%	0.71%
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 BALL and XLB in my portfolio?

BALL and XLB have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BALL or XLB?

BALL has higher volatility (9.32%) compared to XLB (5.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BALL dropped -55.09% vs XLB's -59.83%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.20 vs 0.01), 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.