BUZZ vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

BUZZ (VanEck Social Sentiment ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUZZ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the BUZZ NextGen AI US Sentiment Leaders Index, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BUZZ returned 7.60%/yr vs 20.12%/yr for XLE. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BUZZ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

BUZZ vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Social Sentiment ETF (BUZZ) 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, BUZZ achieves a 13.20% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 29.56% return.

BUZZ

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: -0.97%
• YTD: 13.20%
• 6M: 9.20%
• 1Y: 31.99%
• 3Y*: 31.61%
• 5Y*: 7.60%
• 10Y*: —

XLE

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: -0.14%
• YTD: 29.56%
• 6M: 28.37%
• 1Y: 37.19%
• 3Y*: 16.18%
• 5Y*: 20.12%
• 10Y*: 9.91%

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

BUZZ vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BUZZ VanEck Social Sentiment ETF	13.20%	30.61%	33.74%	54.64%	-47.67%	-4.47%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	29.56%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	16.54%

Correlation

The correlation between BUZZ and XLE is -0.06, 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	-0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 4, 2021	0.22

The correlation between BUZZ and XLE shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (1 year) to 0.23 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BUZZ vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BUZZ	XLE
Technology	42.7%	-
Communication Services	14.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	14.5%	-
Financial Services	13.9%	-
Healthcare	4.9%	-
Industrials	3.8%	-
Energy	2.5%	100.0%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	-
Utilities	0.9%	-
Basic Materials	0.7%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

BUZZ vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUZZ

BUZZ Risk / Return Rank: 27
BUZZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
BUZZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
BUZZ Omega Ratio Rank: 29
BUZZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
BUZZ Martin Ratio Rank: 23

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 61
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 54
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

BUZZ vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Social Sentiment ETF (BUZZ) 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.

	BUZZ	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.99	1.82	-0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.44	2.40	-0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.30	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.05	3.10	-2.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.54	8.63	-6.10

BUZZ vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUZZ Sharpe Ratio is 0.99, which is lower than the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUZZ 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

BUZZ vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUZZ drawdown since its inception was -56.87%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUZZ and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUZZ	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.87%	-71.26%	+14.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.47%	-12.05%	-18.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.47%	-20.14%	-10.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.87%	-26.04%	-30.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-66.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.85%	-8.01%	-1.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.91%	-17.97%	-5.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.65%	4.32%	+8.33%

Volatility

BUZZ vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Social Sentiment ETF (BUZZ) has a higher volatility of 12.00% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) at 7.26%. This indicates that BUZZ'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

	BUZZ	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.00%	7.26%	+4.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.17%	16.79%	+8.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.59%	20.57%	+12.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.19%	26.05%	+7.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.88%	29.58%	+3.30%

BUZZ vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUZZ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUZZ vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

BUZZ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUZZ VanEck Social Sentiment ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.50%	0.52%	0.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.59%	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 BUZZ and XLE in my portfolio?

BUZZ and XLE have a correlation of -0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUZZ or XLE?

BUZZ has higher volatility (12.00%) compared to XLE (7.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUZZ dropped -56.87% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, BUZZ or XLE?

On 5-year performance, XLE leads with 20.12% vs 7.60% for BUZZ. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLE has been the lower-risk option at 7.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUZZ or XLE?

Over the 5-year period, XLE has performed better with a 20.12% return vs 7.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUZZ or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for BUZZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUZZ or XLE?

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.59%, compared with 0.00% for BUZZ.

What is the main difference between BUZZ and XLE?

BUZZ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while XLE is Energy Equities. BUZZ tracks BUZZ NextGen AI US Sentiment Leaders Index, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for BUZZ and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 0.99), 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.