EIS vs. XLB

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

EIS (iShares MSCI Israel ETF) and XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EIS is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index (Net), while XLB is a Materials fund tracking the Materials Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EIS returned 11.91%/yr vs 9.85%/yr for XLB. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EIS charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLB.

Performance

EIS vs. XLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EIS achieves a 14.51% return, which is significantly higher than XLB's 10.66% return. Over the past 10 years, EIS has outperformed XLB with an annualized return of 11.91%, while XLB has yielded a comparatively lower 9.85% annualized return.

EIS

• 1D: 1.53%
• 1M: -7.96%
• YTD: 14.51%
• 6M: 16.70%
• 1Y: 48.12%
• 3Y*: 33.62%
• 5Y*: 14.55%
• 10Y*: 11.91%

XLB

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: -3.16%
• YTD: 10.66%
• 6M: 16.01%
• 1Y: 16.06%
• 3Y*: 10.29%
• 5Y*: 5.04%
• 10Y*: 9.85%

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

EIS vs. XLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EIS iShares MSCI Israel ETF	14.51%	45.11%	34.50%	5.48%	-27.05%	22.83%	12.01%	20.93%	-4.84%	12.77%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	10.66%	9.94%	0.15%	12.46%	-12.30%	27.44%	20.46%	24.13%	-14.88%	24.01%

Correlation

The correlation between EIS and XLB is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2008	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between EIS and XLB has dropped to 0.36 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

EIS vs. XLB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EIS	XLB
Financial Services	34.6%	-
Technology	17.8%	-
Industrials	10.9%	1.5%
Healthcare	9.8%	-
Real Estate	9.1%	-
Utilities	6.6%	-
Communication Services	2.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.5%	12.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	-
Energy	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	87.6%

Return for Risk

EIS vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

EIS

EIS Risk / Return Rank: 74
EIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
EIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
EIS Omega Ratio Rank: 68
EIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
EIS Martin Ratio Rank: 79

XLB

XLB Risk / Return Rank: 29
XLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Omega Ratio Rank: 27
XLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

EIS vs. XLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). 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.

	EIS	XLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	0.95	+1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	1.43	+1.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.17	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.90	1.30	+2.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.00	4.02	+9.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EIS vs. XLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EIS Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is higher than the XLB Sharpe Ratio of 0.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EIS and XLB, 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

	EIS	XLB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	0.95	+1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.27	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.48	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.35	-0.04

Drawdowns

EIS vs. XLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EIS drawdown since its inception was -51.94%, smaller than the maximum XLB drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EIS and XLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	EIS	XLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.94%	-59.83%	+7.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.40%	-12.38%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.10%	-23.17%	-0.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.88%	-24.72%	-17.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.88%	-37.27%	-4.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.50%	-6.41%	-2.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.90%	-10.84%	-3.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.45%	4.00%	-0.55%

Volatility

EIS vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS) has a higher volatility of 7.59% compared to Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) at 5.32%. This indicates that EIS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EIS	XLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.59%	5.32%	+2.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.60%	13.02%	+3.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.06%	16.95%	+6.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.89%	18.96%	+2.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.13%	20.66%	+0.47%

EIS vs. XLB - Expense Ratio Comparison

EIS has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than XLB's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

EIS vs. XLB - Dividend Comparison

EIS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, less than XLB's 1.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EIS iShares MSCI Israel ETF	1.25%	1.44%	1.38%	1.39%	1.66%	1.04%	0.16%	2.06%	0.87%	2.02%	1.78%	2.55%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.75%	1.92%	1.92%	2.00%	2.26%	1.62%	1.72%	1.98%	2.20%	1.66%	1.95%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EIS and XLB in my portfolio?

EIS and XLB have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EIS or XLB?

EIS has higher volatility (7.59%) compared to XLB (5.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EIS dropped -51.94% vs XLB's -59.83%.

Which ETF is better, EIS or XLB?

On 10-year performance, EIS leads with 11.91% vs 9.85% for XLB. On fees, XLB is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, XLB has been the lower-risk option at 5.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EIS or XLB?

Over the 10-year period, EIS has performed better with a 11.91% return vs 9.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EIS or XLB?

XLB is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EIS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EIS or XLB?

XLB has the higher dividend yield at 1.75%, compared with 1.25% for EIS.

What is the main difference between EIS and XLB?

EIS is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while XLB is Materials. EIS tracks MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index (Net), while XLB tracks Materials Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for EIS and 0.13% for XLB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EIS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 0.95), 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.