BKNG vs. XLE

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

BKNG (Booking Holdings Inc.) is a stock, while XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, BKNG returned 13.39%/yr vs 9.47%/yr for XLE. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BKNG vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BKNG achieves a -13.41% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 29.29% return. Over the past 10 years, BKNG has outperformed XLE with an annualized return of 13.39%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively lower 9.47% annualized return.

BKNG

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: 5.06%
• 6M: -10.70%
• YTD: -13.41%
• 1Y: -17.74%
• 3Y*: 16.91%
• 5Y*: 17.06%
• 10Y*: 13.39%

XLE

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: 3.74%
• 6M: 21.42%
• YTD: 29.29%
• 1Y: 36.53%
• 3Y*: 15.59%
• 5Y*: 22.95%
• 10Y*: 9.47%

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

BKNG vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BKNG Booking Holdings Inc.	-13.41%	8.59%	41.31%	76.02%	-16.00%	7.72%	8.45%	19.24%	-0.88%	18.53%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	29.29%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between BKNG and XLE is -0.19, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 1999	0.29

The correlation between BKNG and XLE shifts across timeframes, from -0.19 (1 year) to 0.29 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BKNG vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

BKNG

BKNG Risk / Return Rank: 22
BKNG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
BKNG Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
BKNG Omega Ratio Rank: 21
BKNG Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
BKNG Martin Ratio Rank: 23

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 59
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

BKNG vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

	BKNG	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.52	1.75	-2.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.57	2.32	-2.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.29	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.54	2.45	-2.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.97	6.58	-7.55

BKNG vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BKNG Sharpe Ratio is -0.52, which is lower than the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BKNG and XLE, 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

BKNG vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKNG drawdown since its inception was -99.32%, which is greater than XLE's maximum drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKNG and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKNG	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.32%	-71.26%	-28.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.89%	-14.98%	-17.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.35%	-20.14%	-13.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.53%	-26.04%	-13.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.77%	-66.81%	+19.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.97%	-8.20%	-11.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-46.97%	-17.95%	-29.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.34%	5.57%	+12.77%

Volatility

BKNG vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG) has a higher volatility of 11.82% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) at 6.10%. This indicates that BKNG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BKNG	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.82%	6.10%	+5.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.42%	16.65%	+12.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.94%	20.96%	+12.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.69%	25.87%	+6.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.43%	29.58%	+2.85%

Dividends

BKNG vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

BKNG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than XLE's 2.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BKNG Booking Holdings Inc.	0.87%	0.72%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.66%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BKNG and XLE in my portfolio?

BKNG and XLE have a correlation of -0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BKNG or XLE?

BKNG has higher volatility (11.82%) compared to XLE (6.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKNG dropped -99.32% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs -0.52), 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.