DGT vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DGT (State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DGT is a Global Equities fund tracking the The Global Dow, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGT returned 14.09%/yr vs 10.22%/yr for XLE. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DGT charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

DGT vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF (DGT) 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, DGT achieves a 12.72% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 32.17% return. Over the past 10 years, DGT has outperformed XLE with an annualized return of 14.09%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively lower 10.22% annualized return.

DGT

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 5.01%
• YTD: 12.72%
• 6M: 14.40%
• 1Y: 30.90%
• 3Y*: 22.91%
• 5Y*: 13.59%
• 10Y*: 14.09%

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)

DGT vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DGT State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF	12.72%	30.04%	14.15%	20.95%	-8.00%	21.50%	9.67%	22.19%	-9.65%	24.87%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	32.17%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between DGT 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	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2000	0.56

Over the past year, the correlation between DGT and XLE has dropped to 0.06 - well below their long-term average of 0.56, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

DGT vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DGT	XLE
Technology	17.7%	-
Financial Services	17.1%	-
Industrials	13.9%	-
Healthcare	10.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	-
Energy	7.1%	100.0%
Basic Materials	7.1%	-
Communication Services	6.0%	-
Utilities	3.8%	-
Real Estate	1.4%	-

Return for Risk

DGT vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

DGT

DGT Risk / Return Rank: 77
DGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
DGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
DGT Omega Ratio Rank: 79
DGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DGT Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

DGT vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF (DGT) 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.

	DGT	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.59	2.21	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.58	2.84	+0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.35	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	3.75	-0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.02	10.92	+4.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DGT vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGT Sharpe Ratio is 2.59, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGT 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

	DGT	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.59	2.21	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90	0.79	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	0.35	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.31	-0.01

Drawdowns

DGT vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGT drawdown since its inception was -55.36%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGT and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGT	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.36%	-71.26%	+15.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.38%	-12.05%	+3.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.67%	-20.14%	+5.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.18%	-26.04%	+0.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.40%	-66.81%	+32.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.58%	-6.15%	+5.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.83%	-17.98%	+4.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	4.14%	-2.08%

Volatility

DGT vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF (DGT) is 3.94%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 8.25%. This indicates that DGT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DGT	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.94%	8.25%	-4.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.54%	16.58%	-7.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.98%	20.53%	-8.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.16%	26.02%	-10.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.95%	29.59%	-12.64%

DGT vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGT has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

DGT vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

DGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, which matches XLE's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGT State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF	2.52%	2.78%	2.83%	2.53%	3.15%	2.66%	1.97%	2.76%	2.50%	1.93%	2.31%	2.37%
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 DGT and XLE in my portfolio?

DGT 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, DGT or XLE?

XLE has higher volatility (8.25%) compared to DGT (3.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGT dropped -55.36% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, DGT or XLE?

On 10-year performance, DGT leads with 14.09% vs 10.22% for XLE. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DGT has been the lower-risk option at 3.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DGT or XLE?

Over the 10-year period, DGT has performed better with a 14.09% return vs 10.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DGT or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for DGT.

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

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.54%, compared with 2.52% for DGT.

What is the main difference between DGT and XLE?

DGT is categorized as Global Equities, while XLE is Energy Equities. DGT tracks The Global Dow, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for DGT and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 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.