FITE vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FITE (SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FITE is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Kensho Future Security Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FITE returned 18.73%/yr vs 9.31%/yr for XLU. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FITE charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

FITE vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF (FITE) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FITE achieves a 38.91% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.55% return.

FITE

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 24.61%
• YTD: 38.91%
• 6M: 44.36%
• 1Y: 70.32%
• 3Y*: 35.56%
• 5Y*: 18.73%
• 10Y*: —

XLU

• 1D: 1.86%
• 1M: -5.69%
• YTD: 3.55%
• 6M: 1.36%
• 1Y: 9.88%
• 3Y*: 13.91%
• 5Y*: 9.31%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

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

FITE vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FITE SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF	38.91%	27.73%	21.63%	28.48%	-17.98%	14.45%	20.38%	33.96%	-0.53%	-0.35%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.55%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	0.61%

Correlation

The correlation between FITE and XLU is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 28, 2017	0.29

The correlation between FITE and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.14 (1 year) to 0.29 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FITE vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FITE	XLU
Technology	55.1%	-
Industrials	36.1%	-
Communication Services	4.3%	-
Healthcare	2.3%	-
Energy	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

FITE vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

FITE

FITE Risk / Return Rank: 79
FITE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FITE Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
FITE Omega Ratio Rank: 73
FITE Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FITE Martin Ratio Rank: 72

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 21
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

FITE vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF (FITE) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (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.

	FITE	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.88	0.68	+2.20
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.64	1.01	+2.63
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.13	+0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.68	1.11	+3.56
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.80	2.52	+11.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FITE vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FITE Sharpe Ratio is 2.88, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FITE and XLU, 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

	FITE	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.88	0.68	+2.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.54	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.40	+0.40

Drawdowns

FITE vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FITE drawdown since its inception was -36.90%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FITE and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	FITE	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.90%	-51.98%	+15.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.35%	-9.18%	-6.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.07%	-17.26%	-4.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.14%	-25.26%	-1.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.38%	+7.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.40%	-10.22%	+2.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.20%	4.07%	+1.13%

Volatility

FITE vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF (FITE) has a higher volatility of 7.23% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.41%. This indicates that FITE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FITE	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.23%	5.41%	+1.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.71%	11.76%	+7.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.57%	14.56%	+10.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.37%	17.32%	+5.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.03%	19.26%	+3.77%

FITE vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

FITE has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FITE vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

FITE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.15%, less than XLU's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FITE SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF	0.15%	0.23%	0.12%	0.13%	0.12%	0.92%	0.88%	0.44%	1.79%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.71%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FITE and XLU in my portfolio?

FITE and XLU have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FITE or XLU?

FITE has higher volatility (7.23%) compared to XLU (5.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FITE dropped -36.90% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, FITE or XLU?

On 5-year performance, FITE leads with 18.73% vs 9.31% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FITE or XLU?

Over the 5-year period, FITE has performed better with a 18.73% return vs 9.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FITE or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for FITE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FITE or XLU?

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.71%, compared with 0.15% for FITE.

What is the main difference between FITE and XLU?

FITE is categorized as Technology Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. FITE tracks S&P Kensho Future Security Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for FITE and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FITE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.88 vs 0.68), 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.