CAT vs. XLC

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

CAT (Caterpillar Inc.) is a stock, while XLC (Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund) is Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. Over the past 5 years, CAT returned 35.17%/yr vs 8.03%/yr for XLC. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CAT vs. XLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CAT achieves a 59.62% return, which is significantly higher than XLC's -4.85% return.

CAT

• 1D: 1.44%
• 1M: -1.05%
• YTD: 59.62%
• 6M: 52.94%
• 1Y: 157.79%
• 3Y*: 57.16%
• 5Y*: 35.17%
• 10Y*: 31.33%

XLC

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: -4.66%
• YTD: -4.85%
• 6M: -3.59%
• 1Y: 10.19%
• 3Y*: 21.60%
• 5Y*: 8.03%
• 10Y*: —

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

CAT vs. XLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
CAT Caterpillar Inc.	59.62%	60.30%	24.66%	25.95%	18.60%	15.95%	26.97%	19.51%	-13.46%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	-4.85%	23.08%	34.71%	52.82%	-37.63%	15.96%	26.90%	31.05%	-16.45%

Correlation

The correlation between CAT and XLC is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2018	0.42

The correlation between CAT and XLC shifts across timeframes, from 0.29 (1 year) to 0.42 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CAT vs. XLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

CAT

CAT Risk / Return Rank: 98
CAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
CAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
CAT Omega Ratio Rank: 97
CAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
CAT Martin Ratio Rank: 99

XLC

XLC Risk / Return Rank: 22
XLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

CAT vs. XLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). 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.

	CAT	XLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.43	0.69	+3.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.03	1.08	+3.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.12	+0.52
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	11.24	0.86	+10.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	36.80	2.73	+34.07

CAT vs. XLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CAT Sharpe Ratio is 4.43, which is higher than the XLC Sharpe Ratio of 0.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CAT and XLC, 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

CAT vs. XLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CAT drawdown since its inception was -73.43%, which is greater than XLC's maximum drawdown of -46.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAT and XLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	CAT	XLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.43%	-46.65%	-26.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.88%	-10.57%	-3.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.05%	-17.97%	-16.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.05%	-46.65%	+12.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.36%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.18%	-6.72%	+3.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.73%	-10.58%	-9.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.23%	3.33%	+0.90%

Volatility

CAT vs. XLC - Volatility Comparison

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) has a higher volatility of 13.16% compared to Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) at 3.57%. This indicates that CAT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CAT	XLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.16%	3.57%	+9.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.37%	9.65%	+18.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.19%	13.28%	+21.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.79%	20.68%	+10.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.98%	22.17%	+8.81%

Dividends

CAT vs. XLC - Dividend Comparison

CAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.66%, less than XLC's 1.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAT Caterpillar Inc.	0.66%	1.02%	1.49%	1.69%	1.93%	2.07%	2.26%	2.56%	2.58%	1.97%	3.32%	4.33%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.25%	1.13%	0.99%	0.82%	1.10%	0.74%	0.68%	0.82%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CAT and XLC in my portfolio?

CAT and XLC have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CAT or XLC?

CAT has higher volatility (13.16%) compared to XLC (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CAT dropped -73.43% vs XLC's -46.65%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.43 vs 0.69), 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.