EWX vs. XLE

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

EWX (SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets Under USD2 Billion Index, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWX returned 7.88%/yr vs 10.08%/yr for XLE. Their 0.50 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EWX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

EWX vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EWX) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWX achieves a 4.97% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 33.31% return. Over the past 10 years, EWX has underperformed XLE with an annualized return of 7.88%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively higher 10.08% annualized return.

EWX

• 1D: 1.69%
• 1M: -6.72%
• 6M: 1.50%
• YTD: 4.97%
• 1Y: 12.08%
• 3Y*: 11.07%
• 5Y*: 5.42%
• 10Y*: 7.88%
• ALL TIME*: 4.18%

XLE

• 1D: -1.28%
• 1M: 10.47%
• 6M: 19.08%
• YTD: 33.31%
• 1Y: 41.66%
• 3Y*: 14.20%
• 5Y*: 23.80%
• 10Y*: 10.08%
• ALL TIME*: 8.81%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EWX SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF	$1.63M	$1.59M	$1.64M
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	$1.70B	$1.73B	$1.97B

EWX vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWX SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF	4.97%	15.46%	6.81%	18.13%	-15.00%	18.15%	14.84%	15.59%	-18.75%	34.12%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	33.31%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between EWX and XLE is -0.11, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.11
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2008	0.50

The correlation between EWX and XLE shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.50 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EWX vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWX	XLE
Technology	28.1%	-
Industrials	19.8%	-
Basic Materials	10.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.5%	-
Financial Services	7.4%	-
Healthcare	6.6%	-
Real Estate	5.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Utilities	2.4%	-
Communication Services	2.0%	-
Energy	1.7%	100.0%

Return for Risk

EWX vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

EWX

EWX Risk / Return Rank: 29
EWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
EWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
EWX Omega Ratio Rank: 28
EWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
EWX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 75
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 76
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 61

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

EWX vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EWX) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

	EWX	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.70	1.99	-1.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.03	2.58	-1.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.32	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.90	2.79	-1.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.28	7.45	-4.17

EWX vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWX Sharpe Ratio is 0.70, which is lower than the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWX and XLE, 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

EWX vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWX drawdown since its inception was -63.90%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWX and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWX	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.90%	-71.26%	+7.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.47%	-14.98%	+1.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.37%	-20.14%	-1.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.06%	-26.04%	+1.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.00%	-66.81%	+23.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.54%	-5.35%	-5.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.10%	-17.93%	+4.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.69%	5.60%	-1.91%

Volatility

EWX vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EWX) has a higher volatility of 7.06% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) at 6.13%. This indicates that EWX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWX	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.06%	6.13%	+0.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.52%	16.74%	-1.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.37%	21.04%	-3.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.77%	25.77%	-10.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.26%	29.58%	-12.32%

EWX vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWX vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

EWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%, more than XLE's 2.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWX SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF	2.70%	2.91%	2.90%	2.32%	3.00%	2.77%	2.24%	2.73%	3.26%	2.30%	2.46%	3.04%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.58%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWX and XLE in my portfolio?

EWX and XLE have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EWX or XLE?

EWX has higher volatility (7.06%) compared to XLE (6.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWX dropped -63.90% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, EWX or XLE?

On 10-year performance, XLE leads with 10.08% vs 7.88% for EWX. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLE has been the lower-risk option at 6.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWX or XLE?

Over the 10-year period, XLE has performed better with a 10.08% return vs 7.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWX or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for EWX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EWX or XLE?

EWX has the higher dividend yield at 2.70%, compared with 2.58% for XLE.

What is the main difference between EWX and XLE?

EWX is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while XLE is Energy Equities. EWX tracks S&P Emerging Markets Under USD2 Billion Index, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for EWX and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 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.