CTEX vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CTEX (ProShares S&P Kensho Cleantech ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CTEX is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Kensho Cleantech Index, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, CTEX returned 16.51%/yr vs 17.46%/yr for XLE. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CTEX charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

CTEX vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares S&P Kensho Cleantech ETF (CTEX) 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, CTEX achieves a 39.97% return, which is significantly higher than XLE's 32.17% return.

CTEX

• 1D: -4.08%
• 1M: 24.08%
• YTD: 39.97%
• 6M: 41.91%
• 1Y: 154.30%
• 3Y*: 16.51%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLE

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: -1.14%
• YTD: 32.17%
• 6M: 29.80%
• 1Y: 45.00%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 20.44%
• 10Y*: 10.22%

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

CTEX vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
CTEX ProShares S&P Kensho Cleantech ETF	39.97%	67.74%	-20.38%	-10.25%	-20.38%	-6.68%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	32.17%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	7.93%

Correlation

The correlation between CTEX and XLE is -0.02, 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	-0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2021	0.24

The correlation between CTEX and XLE shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.24 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

CTEX vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CTEX	XLE
Industrials	48.9%	-
Technology	34.7%	-
Utilities	11.5%	-
Energy	3.0%	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	1.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

CTEX vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

CTEX

CTEX Risk / Return Rank: 88
CTEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
CTEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
CTEX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
CTEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
CTEX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 63
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 56
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

CTEX vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares S&P Kensho Cleantech ETF (CTEX) 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.

	CTEX	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.68	2.21	+1.48
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.79	2.84	+0.95
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.35	+0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.18	3.75	+3.43
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	19.95	10.92	+9.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CTEX vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CTEX Sharpe Ratio is 3.68, which is higher than the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CTEX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CTEX	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.68	2.21	+1.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.35	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.11	0.31	-0.20

Drawdowns

CTEX vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CTEX drawdown since its inception was -70.31%, roughly equal to the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CTEX and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	CTEX	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.31%	-71.26%	+0.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.62%	-12.05%	-9.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-56.83%	-20.14%	-36.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.04%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-66.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.08%	-6.15%	+2.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-41.94%	-17.98%	-23.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.77%	4.14%	+3.63%

Volatility

CTEX vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

ProShares S&P Kensho Cleantech ETF (CTEX) has a higher volatility of 15.79% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) at 8.25%. This indicates that CTEX'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

	CTEX	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.79%	8.25%	+7.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.89%	16.58%	+13.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	42.32%	20.53%	+21.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	43.30%	26.02%	+17.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	43.30%	29.59%	+13.71%

CTEX vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

CTEX has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

CTEX vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

CTEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, less than XLE's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CTEX ProShares S&P Kensho Cleantech ETF	1.50%	2.17%	0.57%	0.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.54%	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 CTEX and XLE in my portfolio?

CTEX and XLE have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CTEX or XLE?

CTEX has higher volatility (15.79%) compared to XLE (8.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CTEX dropped -70.31% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, CTEX or XLE?

On 3-year performance, XLE leads with 17.46% vs 16.51% for CTEX. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLE has been the lower-risk option at 8.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CTEX or XLE?

Over the 3-year period, XLE has performed better with a 17.46% return vs 16.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CTEX or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for CTEX.

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

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.54%, compared with 1.50% for CTEX.

What is the main difference between CTEX and XLE?

CTEX is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while XLE is Energy Equities. CTEX tracks S&P Kensho Cleantech Index, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for CTEX and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CTEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.68 vs 2.21), 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.