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BNS vs. XLF

Last updated May 27, 2023

Compare and contrast key facts about The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) and Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF).

XLF is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Financial Select Sector Index. It was launched on Dec 16, 1998.

Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: BNS or XLF.

Key characteristics


BNSXLF
YTD Return3.30%-5.65%
1Y Return-21.10%-6.20%
5Y Return (Ann)0.64%5.05%
10Y Return (Ann)3.31%11.63%
Sharpe Ratio-0.84-0.18
Daily Std Dev24.25%22.62%
Max Drawdown-63.81%-82.43%

Correlation

0.56
-1.001.00

The correlation between BNS and XLF is 0.56, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

BNS vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

In the year-to-date period, BNS achieves a 3.30% return, which is significantly lower than XLF's -5.65% return. Over the past 10 years, BNS has underperformed XLF with an annualized return of 3.31%, while XLF has yielded a comparatively higher 11.63% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.


200.00%300.00%400.00%500.00%600.00%700.00%December2023FebruaryMarchAprilMay
611.81%
217.24%
BNS
XLF

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs


The Bank of Nova Scotia

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund

BNS vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

BNS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.49%, more than XLF's 2.65% yield.


TTM20222021202020192018201720162015201420132012
BNS
The Bank of Nova Scotia
9.49%6.60%4.35%5.63%4.28%6.41%4.92%5.44%11.50%6.26%4.46%6.32%
XLF
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund
2.65%2.05%1.67%2.12%2.00%2.28%1.65%1.85%2.78%2.34%2.19%2.67%

BNS vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) and Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF). 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.


Sharpe ratioSortino ratioOmega ratioCalmar ratioUlcer Index
BNS
The Bank of Nova Scotia
-0.84
XLF
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund
-0.18

BNS vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BNS Sharpe Ratio is -0.84, which is lower than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of -0.18. The chart below compares the 12-month rolling Sharpe Ratio of BNS and XLF.


-1.20-1.00-0.80-0.60-0.40-0.200.00December2023FebruaryMarchAprilMay
-0.84
-0.18
BNS
XLF

BNS vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BNS drawdown for the period was -34.05%, lower than the maximum XLF drawdown of -23.65%. The drawdown chart below compares losses from any high point along the way for BNS and XLF


-35.00%-30.00%-25.00%-20.00%-15.00%-10.00%December2023FebruaryMarchAprilMay
-29.33%
-20.47%
BNS
XLF

BNS vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) has a higher volatility of 6.44% compared to Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) at 5.20%. This indicates that BNS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


3.00%4.00%5.00%6.00%7.00%8.00%9.00%10.00%December2023FebruaryMarchAprilMay
6.44%
5.20%
BNS
XLF