FAI vs. XLP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FAI (First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF) and XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FAI is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index, while XLP is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FAI returned 76.77% vs 1.97% for XLP. At a correlation of -0.18, they often move in opposite directions. FAI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLP.

Performance

FAI vs. XLP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAI achieves a 39.08% return, which is significantly higher than XLP's 6.36% return.

FAI

• 1D: -1.21%
• 1M: 21.45%
• YTD: 39.08%
• 6M: 37.64%
• 1Y: 76.77%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLP

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: -1.65%
• YTD: 6.36%
• 6M: 5.65%
• 1Y: 1.97%
• 3Y*: 6.59%
• 5Y*: 5.55%
• 10Y*: 7.20%

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

FAI vs. XLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	39.08%	33.37%	2.06%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	6.36%	1.52%	-2.32%

Correlation

The correlation between FAI and XLP is -0.25, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 22, 2024	-0.18

Return for Risk

FAI vs. XLP — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAI

FAI Risk / Return Rank: 82
FAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
FAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FAI Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
FAI Martin Ratio Rank: 72

XLP

XLP Risk / Return Rank: 10
XLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
XLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
XLP Omega Ratio Rank: 10
XLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
XLP Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

FAI vs. XLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). 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.

	FAI	XLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.16	0.16	+3.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.74	0.31	+3.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.04	+0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.10	0.20	+3.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.35	0.40	+12.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FAI vs. XLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAI Sharpe Ratio is 3.16, which is higher than the XLP Sharpe Ratio of 0.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAI and XLP, 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

	FAI	XLP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.16	0.16	+3.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.76	0.43	+1.33

Drawdowns

FAI vs. XLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAI drawdown since its inception was -27.82%, smaller than the maximum XLP drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAI and XLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAI	XLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.82%	-35.90%	+8.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.84%	-9.69%	-9.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.39%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-16.30%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-24.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.21%	-8.21%	+7.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.31%	-7.06%	+1.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.77%	4.93%	+0.84%

Volatility

FAI vs. XLP - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) has a higher volatility of 8.24% compared to State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) at 3.97%. This indicates that FAI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAI	XLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.24%	3.97%	+4.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.31%	9.86%	+9.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.40%	12.66%	+11.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.89%	13.29%	+16.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.89%	14.73%	+15.16%

FAI vs. XLP - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than XLP's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAI vs. XLP - Dividend Comparison

FAI has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.65%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.65%	2.75%	2.77%	2.63%	2.47%	2.28%	2.50%	2.57%	3.04%	2.62%	2.53%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAI and XLP in my portfolio?

FAI and XLP have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FAI or XLP?

FAI has higher volatility (8.24%) compared to XLP (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAI dropped -27.82% vs XLP's -35.90%.

Which ETF is better, FAI or XLP?

On 1-year performance, FAI leads with 76.77% vs 1.97% for XLP. On fees, XLP is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLP has been the lower-risk option at 3.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FAI or XLP?

Over the 1-year period, FAI has performed better with a 76.77% return vs 1.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAI or XLP?

XLP is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FAI or XLP?

XLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.65%, compared with 0.00% for FAI.

What is the main difference between FAI and XLP?

FAI is categorized as Technology Equities, while XLP is Consumer Staples Equities. FAI tracks Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index, while XLP tracks Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FAI and 0.08% for XLP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.16 vs 0.16), 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.