BWX vs. XLU
BWX (SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BWX is a International Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Treasury x US Capped (Inception 8/31/2007), while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BWX returned -1.41%/yr vs 9.45%/yr for XLU. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BWX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.
Performance
BWX vs. XLU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BWX achieves a -2.85% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 8.84% return. Over the past 10 years, BWX has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of -1.41%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.45% annualized return.
BWX
- 1D
- 0.09%
- 1M
- -1.43%
- YTD
- -2.85%
- 6M
- -3.24%
- 1Y
- -4.79%
- 3Y*
- 0.59%
- 5Y*
- -4.33%
- 10Y*
- -1.41%
XLU
- 1D
- 0.68%
- 1M
- 1.79%
- YTD
- 8.84%
- 6M
- 8.54%
- 1Y
- 17.09%
- 3Y*
- 15.18%
- 5Y*
- 10.75%
- 10Y*
- 9.45%
BWX vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BWX SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF | -2.85% | 7.67% | -5.93% | 5.10% | -19.72% | -8.67% | 9.50% | 5.58% | -1.85% | 9.93% |
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | 8.84% | 16.03% | 23.31% | -7.18% | 1.44% | 17.70% | 0.51% | 25.93% | 3.94% | 12.05% |
Correlation
The correlation between BWX and XLU is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2007 | 0.19 |
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Return for Risk
BWX vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank
BWX
XLU
BWX vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF (BWX) 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.
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.
| BWX | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.80 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.49 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.91 | 1.21 | -0.30 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.78 | 1.87 | -2.65 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.47 | 3.96 | -5.43 |
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Drawdowns
BWX vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BWX drawdown since its inception was -34.05%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BWX and XLU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BWX | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.05% | -51.98% | +17.93% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.16% | -9.18% | +3.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.22% | -17.26% | +7.04% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.78% | -25.26% | -5.52% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.05% | -36.07% | +2.02% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -24.71% | -2.65% | -22.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.09% | -10.21% | +0.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.26% | 4.33% | -1.07% |
Volatility
BWX vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF (BWX) is 2.02%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.29%. This indicates that BWX 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.
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Volatility by Period
| BWX | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.02% | 5.29% | -3.27% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.95% | 11.68% | -5.73% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.64% | 14.68% | -7.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.70% | 17.30% | -7.60% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.66% | 19.28% | -10.62% |
BWX vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison
BWX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
BWX vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison
BWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.40%, less than XLU's 2.61% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BWX SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF | 2.40% | 2.19% | 1.99% | 1.63% | 1.23% | 0.93% | 0.95% | 1.16% | 1.07% | 0.46% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | 2.61% | 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
BWX and XLU 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.
XLU has higher volatility (5.29%) compared to BWX (2.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BWX dropped -34.05% vs XLU's -51.98%.
On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 9.45% vs -1.41% for BWX. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, BWX has been the lower-risk option at 2.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, XLU has performed better with a 9.45% return vs -1.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BWX.
XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.61%, compared with 2.40% for BWX.
BWX is categorized as International Government Bonds, while XLU is Utilities Equities. BWX tracks Bloomberg Global Treasury x US Capped (Inception 8/31/2007), while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BWX and 0.08% for XLU.
XLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.17 vs -0.63), 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.
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