EIG vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EIG (Employers Holdings, Inc.) is a stock, while XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, EIG returned 7.21%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

EIG vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Employers Holdings, Inc. (EIG) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EIG achieves a 3.32% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, EIG has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 7.21%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.15% annualized return.

EIG

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 6.66%
• YTD: 3.32%
• 6M: 12.19%
• 1Y: -6.56%
• 3Y*: 7.61%
• 5Y*: 4.66%
• 10Y*: 7.21%

XLU

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: -5.74%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 9.11%
• 3Y*: 13.74%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: 9.15%

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

EIG vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EIG Employers Holdings, Inc.	3.32%	-13.32%	33.36%	-6.10%	12.57%	31.88%	-20.54%	1.59%	-3.67%	13.72%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.11%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between EIG and XLU is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2007	0.30

The correlation between EIG and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (1 year) to 0.30 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

EIG vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EIG

EIG Risk / Return Rank: 29
EIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
EIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
EIG Omega Ratio Rank: 26
EIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
EIG Martin Ratio Rank: 30

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 19
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

EIG vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Employers Holdings, Inc. (EIG) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.

	EIG	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.26	0.63	-0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.18	0.94	-1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.12	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.28	1.00	-1.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.61	2.24	-2.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EIG vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EIG Sharpe Ratio is -0.26, which is lower than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EIG and XLU, 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

	EIG	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.26	0.63	-0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.54	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	0.48	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.40	-0.20

Drawdowns

EIG vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EIG drawdown since its inception was -63.87%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EIG and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EIG	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.87%	-51.98%	-11.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.87%	-9.18%	-14.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.29%	-17.26%	-14.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.29%	-25.26%	-6.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.83%	-36.07%	-7.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.38%	-7.78%	-6.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.72%	-10.22%	-7.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.00%	4.09%	+7.91%

Volatility

EIG vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Employers Holdings, Inc. (EIG) is 4.59%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that EIG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EIG	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.59%	5.41%	-0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.50%	11.53%	+4.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.20%	14.57%	+10.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.87%	17.32%	+6.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.72%	19.26%	+7.46%

Dividends

EIG vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

EIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.96%, more than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EIG Employers Holdings, Inc.	2.96%	2.92%	2.30%	2.79%	7.60%	2.42%	3.11%	2.11%	1.91%	1.35%	0.91%	0.88%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.72%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EIG and XLU in my portfolio?

EIG and XLU have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EIG or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to EIG (4.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EIG dropped -63.87% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.63 vs -0.26), 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.