BOXX vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BOXX (Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BOXX is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Solactive 1-3 Month US T-Bill Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BOXX returned 4.72%/yr vs 12.85%/yr for XLU. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BOXX charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

BOXX vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX) 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, BOXX achieves a 1.60% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 2.66% return.

BOXX

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 1.60%
• 6M: 1.94%
• 1Y: 4.04%
• 3Y*: 4.72%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLU

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: -2.68%
• YTD: 2.66%
• 6M: 3.35%
• 1Y: 10.26%
• 3Y*: 12.85%
• 5Y*: 9.10%
• 10Y*: 8.99%

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

BOXX vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	1.60%	4.37%	5.16%	5.04%	0.07%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.66%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	-1.19%

Correlation

The correlation between BOXX and XLU is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 28, 2022	0.01

BOXX vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BOXX	XLU
Technology	33.1%	-
Financial Services	12.3%	-
Communication Services	10.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	-
Healthcare	9.8%	-
Industrials	8.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	2.5%	100.0%
Real Estate	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.9%	-

Return for Risk

BOXX vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

BOXX

BOXX Risk / Return Rank: 100
BOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
BOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 22
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

BOXX vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX) 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.

	BOXX	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	12.68	0.71	+11.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	37.40	1.04	+36.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	9.69	1.13	+8.56
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	58.95	1.12	+57.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	524.63	2.47	+522.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BOXX vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BOXX Sharpe Ratio is 12.68, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BOXX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BOXX	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.68	0.71	+11.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	12.89	0.40	+12.49

Drawdowns

BOXX vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BOXX drawdown since its inception was -0.12%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BOXX and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	BOXX	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.12%	-51.98%	+51.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.07%	-9.18%	+9.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.12%	-17.26%	+17.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.26%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.01%	-8.18%	+8.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.00%	-10.22%	+10.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.01%	4.16%	-4.15%

Volatility

BOXX vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX) is 0.09%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.60%. This indicates that BOXX 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

	BOXX	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.09%	5.60%	-5.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.25%	11.70%	-11.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32%	14.64%	-14.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.37%	17.34%	-16.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.37%	19.27%	-18.90%

BOXX vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

BOXX has a 0.19% 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

BOXX vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

BOXX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.73%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.73%	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 BOXX and XLU in my portfolio?

BOXX and XLU have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BOXX or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.60%) compared to BOXX (0.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BOXX dropped -0.12% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, BOXX or XLU?

On 3-year performance, XLU leads with 12.85% vs 4.72% for BOXX. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, BOXX has been the lower-risk option at 0.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BOXX or XLU?

Over the 3-year period, XLU has performed better with a 12.85% return vs 4.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BOXX or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for BOXX.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.73%, compared with 0.00% for BOXX.

What is the main difference between BOXX and XLU?

BOXX is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while XLU is Utilities Equities. BOXX tracks Solactive 1-3 Month US T-Bill Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for BOXX and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (12.68 vs 0.70), 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.