CRM vs. XLI

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

CRM (Salesforce, 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, CRM returned 6.64%/yr vs 14.32%/yr for XLI. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CRM vs. XLI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) 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, CRM achieves a -42.41% return, which is significantly lower than XLI's 16.95% return. Over the past 10 years, CRM has underperformed XLI with an annualized return of 6.64%, while XLI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.32% annualized return.

CRM

• 1D: -2.09%
• 1M: -13.69%
• YTD: -42.41%
• 6M: -41.31%
• 1Y: -41.27%
• 3Y*: -9.99%
• 5Y*: -8.65%
• 10Y*: 6.64%

XLI

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 6.09%
• YTD: 16.95%
• 6M: 16.80%
• 1Y: 28.78%
• 3Y*: 21.51%
• 5Y*: 14.41%
• 10Y*: 14.32%

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

CRM vs. XLI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CRM Salesforce, Inc.	-42.41%	-20.25%	27.76%	98.46%	-47.83%	14.20%	36.82%	18.74%	33.98%	49.33%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	16.95%	19.35%	17.31%	18.13%	-5.57%	21.08%	10.91%	29.08%	-13.25%	23.98%

Correlation

The correlation between CRM and XLI is -0.03, 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	-0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2004	0.46

The correlation between CRM and XLI shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (1 year) to 0.46 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CRM vs. XLI — Risk / Return Rank

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

CRM

CRM Risk / Return Rank: 4
CRM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
CRM Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
CRM Omega Ratio Rank: 7
CRM Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
CRM Martin Ratio Rank: 1

XLI

XLI Risk / Return Rank: 54
XLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
XLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
XLI Omega Ratio Rank: 51
XLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
XLI 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.

CRM vs. XLI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) 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.

	CRM	XLI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.08	1.80	-2.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.58	2.55	-4.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.82	1.31	-0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.93	2.38	-3.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.90	9.38	-11.28

CRM vs. XLI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CRM Sharpe Ratio is -1.08, which is lower than the XLI Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CRM 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

CRM vs. XLI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CRM drawdown since its inception was -70.50%, which is greater than XLI's maximum drawdown of -62.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CRM and XLI.

Drawdown Indicators

	CRM	XLI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.50%	-62.26%	-8.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-44.07%	-12.21%	-31.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.21%	-18.49%	-39.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-58.62%	-21.64%	-36.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-58.62%	-42.33%	-16.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-58.21%	0.00%	-58.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.17%	-9.19%	-6.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	21.57%	3.09%	+18.48%

Volatility

CRM vs. XLI - Volatility Comparison

Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) has a higher volatility of 16.40% compared to Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) at 5.85%. This indicates that CRM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CRM	XLI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.40%	5.85%	+10.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	31.79%	13.61%	+18.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	38.19%	16.18%	+22.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.13%	17.54%	+19.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.41%	20.04%	+15.37%

Dividends

CRM vs. XLI - Dividend Comparison

CRM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.13%, which matches XLI's 1.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CRM Salesforce, Inc.	1.13%	0.63%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.13%	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 CRM and XLI in my portfolio?

CRM and XLI have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CRM or XLI?

CRM has higher volatility (16.40%) compared to XLI (5.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CRM dropped -70.50% vs XLI's -62.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs -1.08), 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.