ELF vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

ELF (e.l.f. Beauty, Inc.) is a stock, while XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Over the past 5 years, ELF returned 18.18%/yr vs 21.22%/yr for XLK. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ELF vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (ELF) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ELF achieves a -15.12% return, which is significantly lower than XLK's 27.45% return.

ELF

• 1D: 1.65%
• 1M: 22.00%
• YTD: -15.12%
• 6M: -19.08%
• 1Y: -47.04%
• 3Y*: -15.89%
• 5Y*: 18.18%
• 10Y*: —

XLK

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: 1.60%
• YTD: 27.45%
• 6M: 25.42%
• 1Y: 48.85%
• 3Y*: 30.34%
• 5Y*: 21.22%
• 10Y*: 25.40%

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

ELF vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ELF e.l.f. Beauty, Inc.	-15.12%	-39.43%	-13.02%	161.01%	66.52%	31.84%	56.17%	86.26%	-61.18%	-22.91%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	27.45%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between ELF and XLK is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016	0.36

The correlation between ELF and XLK shifts across timeframes, from 0.23 (1 year) to 0.40 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ELF vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

ELF

ELF Risk / Return Rank: 16
ELF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
ELF Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
ELF Omega Ratio Rank: 16
ELF Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
ELF Martin Ratio Rank: 18

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 66
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 65
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
XLK 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.

ELF vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (ELF) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ELF	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.70	2.10	-2.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.72	2.62	-3.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	1.35	-0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.71	3.08	-3.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.15	9.79	-10.94

ELF vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ELF Sharpe Ratio is -0.70, which is lower than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ELF and XLK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ELF vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ELF drawdown since its inception was -77.26%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ELF and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	ELF	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.26%	-82.05%	+4.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-66.20%	-15.92%	-50.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-77.26%	-25.66%	-51.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-77.26%	-33.56%	-43.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-70.39%	-7.54%	-62.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.53%	-34.90%	+2.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	40.98%	5.00%	+35.98%

Volatility

ELF vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (ELF) has a higher volatility of 17.24% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 12.50%. This indicates that ELF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ELF	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.24%	12.50%	+4.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	43.31%	19.62%	+23.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	67.00%	23.47%	+43.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	57.51%	25.37%	+32.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	55.28%	24.71%	+30.57%

Dividends

ELF vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

ELF has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ELF e.l.f. Beauty, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.43%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ELF and XLK in my portfolio?

ELF and XLK have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ELF or XLK?

ELF has higher volatility (17.24%) compared to XLK (12.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ELF dropped -77.26% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs -0.70), 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.