ELFY vs. XLU

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) and Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU).

ELFY and XLU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. ELFY is a passively managed fund by ALPS that tracks the performance of the Ladenburg Thalmann Electrification Infrastructure Index. It was launched on Apr 9, 2025. XLU is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Utilities Select Sector Index. It was launched on Dec 16, 1998. Both ELFY and XLU are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

ELFY vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) and Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

ELFY vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ELFY ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF	12.06%	35.82%
XLU Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund	8.25%	15.65%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ELFY achieves a 12.06% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 8.25% return.

ELFY

• 1D: 2.62%
• 1M: -5.24%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 6M: 10.55%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLU

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -3.18%
• YTD: 8.25%
• 6M: 6.77%
• 1Y: 19.71%
• 3Y*: 14.12%
• 5Y*: 10.80%
• 10Y*: 9.74%

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

ELFY vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ELFY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.13% expense ratio.

ELFY

ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF

XLU

Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund

Return for Risk

ELFY vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 71
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 67
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

ELFY vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) and Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ELFY	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.25	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.63	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.98	0.41	+2.57

Correlation

The correlation between ELFY and XLU is 0.59, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

ELFY vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

ELFY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than XLU's 2.59% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ELFY ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF	0.94%	0.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLU Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund	2.59%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Drawdowns

ELFY vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ELFY drawdown since its inception was -8.37%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ELFY and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ELFY	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.37%	-51.98%	+43.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.18%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.26%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.94%	-3.18%	-2.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.63%	-10.26%	+8.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.82%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ELFY	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.09%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.35%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.35%	15.82%	+2.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.35%	17.18%	+1.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.35%	19.21%	-0.86%