FLMB vs. XLEI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FLMB (Franklin Liberty Federal Tax-Free Bond ETF) and XLEI (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLMB is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while XLEI is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Energy Select Sector. FLMB is actively managed, while XLEI is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.22, they often move in opposite directions. FLMB charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLEI.

Performance

FLMB vs. XLEI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Liberty Federal Tax-Free Bond ETF (FLMB) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLMB achieves a 1.89% return, which is significantly lower than XLEI's 20.42% return.

FLMB

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 1.89%
• 6M: 2.27%
• 1Y: 8.74%
• 3Y*: 4.38%
• 5Y*: 0.64%
• 10Y*: —

XLEI

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 20.42%
• 6M: 20.06%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FLMB vs. XLEI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FLMB Franklin Liberty Federal Tax-Free Bond ETF	1.89%	6.84%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	20.42%	6.77%

Correlation

The correlation between FLMB and XLEI is -0.22, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2025	-0.22

Return for Risk

FLMB vs. XLEI — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLMB

FLMB Risk / Return Rank: 70
FLMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
FLMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
FLMB Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FLMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
FLMB Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

FLMB vs. XLEI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Liberty Federal Tax-Free Bond ETF (FLMB) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). 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.

	FLMB	XLEI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.61	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.56	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FLMB	XLEI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	2.65	-2.23

Drawdowns

FLMB vs. XLEI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLMB drawdown since its inception was -17.90%, which is greater than XLEI's maximum drawdown of -7.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLMB and XLEI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLMB	XLEI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.90%	-7.98%	-9.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.25%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.33%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-0.97%	+0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.17%	-1.52%	-2.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FLMB	XLEI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.11%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.46%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.70%	13.16%	-9.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.11%	13.16%	-8.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.58%	13.16%	-7.58%

FLMB vs. XLEI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLMB has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than XLEI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLMB vs. XLEI - Dividend Comparison

FLMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.75%, less than XLEI's 16.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLMB Franklin Liberty Federal Tax-Free Bond ETF	3.75%	3.86%	3.79%	3.49%	2.80%	1.66%	2.07%	2.40%	2.68%	0.54%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	16.59%	10.17%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLMB and XLEI in my portfolio?

FLMB and XLEI have a correlation of -0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FLMB or XLEI?

On fees, FLMB is cheaper at 0.30% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLMB or XLEI?

FLMB is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLEI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FLMB or XLEI?

XLEI has the higher dividend yield at 16.59%, compared with 3.75% for FLMB.

What is the main difference between FLMB and XLEI?

FLMB is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while XLEI is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for FLMB and 0.35% for XLEI.