BRK-B vs. XLI

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) is Industrials Equities fund tracking the Industrial Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B returned 13.22%/yr vs 14.15%/yr for XLI. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

BRK-B vs. XLI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRK-B achieves a -2.67% return, which is significantly lower than XLI's 13.90% return. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B has underperformed XLI with an annualized return of 13.22%, while XLI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.15% annualized return.

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: -2.67%
• 6M: -2.06%
• 1Y: 0.35%
• 3Y*: 13.30%
• 5Y*: 11.27%
• 10Y*: 13.22%

XLI

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 2.79%
• YTD: 13.90%
• 6M: 13.10%
• 1Y: 25.17%
• 3Y*: 20.87%
• 5Y*: 12.93%
• 10Y*: 14.15%

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

BRK-B vs. XLI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-2.67%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	13.90%	19.35%	17.31%	18.13%	-5.57%	21.08%	10.91%	29.08%	-13.25%	23.98%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and XLI is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1998	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between BRK-B and XLI has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. XLI — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 39
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 42

XLI

XLI Risk / Return Rank: 48
XLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
XLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
XLI Omega Ratio Rank: 46
XLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
XLI Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

BRK-B vs. XLI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI). 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.

	BRK-B	XLI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.02	1.50	-1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.08	2.17	-2.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.26	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	1.98	-2.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.05	7.82	-7.86

BRK-B vs. XLI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.02, which is lower than the XLI Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B and XLI, 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

BRK-B vs. XLI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, smaller than the maximum XLI drawdown of -62.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and XLI.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	XLI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-62.26%	+8.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-12.21%	+2.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-18.49%	+3.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-21.64%	-4.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-42.33%	+12.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.36%	-1.24%	-8.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-9.20%	-1.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.53%	3.09%	+1.44%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. XLI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) is 3.95%, while Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) has a volatility of 6.22%. This indicates that BRK-B experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRK-B	XLI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.95%	6.22%	-2.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.78%	13.59%	-2.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.38%	16.17%	-1.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	17.55%	-0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	20.04%	-0.60%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. XLI - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.16%	1.29%	1.44%	1.63%	1.63%	1.25%	1.55%	1.94%	2.15%	1.77%	2.07%	2.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRK-B and XLI in my portfolio?

BRK-B and XLI have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRK-B or XLI?

XLI has higher volatility (6.22%) compared to BRK-B (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs XLI's -62.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs -0.02), 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.