DRLL vs. XLEI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DRLL (Strive U.S. Energy ETF) and XLEI (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - DRLL tracks the Bloomberg US Energy Select Index while XLEI tracks the S&P Energy Select Sector. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DRLL charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLEI.

Performance

DRLL vs. XLEI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DRLL achieves a 31.26% return, which is significantly higher than XLEI's 20.42% return.

DRLL

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: -1.82%
• YTD: 31.26%
• 6M: 27.14%
• 1Y: 43.09%
• 3Y*: 14.67%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLEI

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 20.42%
• 6M: 20.06%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DRLL vs. XLEI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	31.26%	2.83%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	20.42%	6.77%

Correlation

The correlation between DRLL and XLEI is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2025	0.92

DRLL vs. XLEI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DRLL	XLEI
Energy	99.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.9%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	100.3%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DRLL vs. XLEI — Risk / Return Rank

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

DRLL

DRLL Risk / Return Rank: 55
DRLL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
DRLL Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
DRLL Omega Ratio Rank: 50
DRLL Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
DRLL Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

DRLL vs. XLEI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). 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.

	DRLL	XLEI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.49	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.11	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.82	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DRLL	XLEI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.94	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	2.65	-2.08

Drawdowns

DRLL vs. XLEI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DRLL drawdown since its inception was -23.73%, which is greater than XLEI's maximum drawdown of -7.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DRLL and XLEI.

Drawdown Indicators

	DRLL	XLEI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.73%	-7.98%	-15.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.93%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.73%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.10%	-0.97%	-7.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-1.52%	-6.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.90%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DRLL	XLEI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.15%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.04%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.34%	13.16%	+9.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.76%	13.16%	+10.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.76%	13.16%	+10.60%

DRLL vs. XLEI - Expense Ratio Comparison

DRLL has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than XLEI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

DRLL vs. XLEI - Dividend Comparison

DRLL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.33%, less than XLEI's 16.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	2.33%	2.99%	3.00%	3.01%	1.18%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	16.59%	10.17%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DRLL and XLEI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, DRLL and XLEI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, DRLL or XLEI?

On fees, XLEI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DRLL or XLEI?

XLEI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for DRLL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DRLL or XLEI?

XLEI has the higher dividend yield at 16.59%, compared with 2.33% for DRLL.

What is the main difference between DRLL and XLEI?

DRLL tracks Bloomberg US Energy Select Index, while XLEI tracks S&P Energy Select Sector. They also come from different issuers: Strive and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for DRLL and 0.35% for XLEI.