FRDM vs. XLK

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FRDM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index, while XLK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FRDM returned 16.96%/yr vs 19.16%/yr for XLK. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FRDM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

FRDM vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FRDM achieves a 26.86% return, which is significantly higher than XLK's 22.34% return.

FRDM

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: -14.88%
• 6M: 16.73%
• YTD: 26.86%
• 1Y: 62.81%
• 3Y*: 29.03%
• 5Y*: 16.96%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.82%

XLK

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -8.11%
• 6M: 20.96%
• YTD: 22.34%
• 1Y: 35.41%
• 3Y*: 26.73%
• 5Y*: 19.16%
• 10Y*: 23.89%
• ALL TIME*: 10.23%

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

FRDM vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	26.86%	61.27%	1.70%	22.77%	-14.45%	6.13%	16.90%	12.23%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	22.34%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	24.12%

Correlation

The correlation between FRDM and XLK is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2019	0.65

The correlation between FRDM and XLK shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (all time) to 0.76 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FRDM vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FRDM	XLK
Financial Services	15.3%	-
Technology	8.2%	99.1%
Consumer Cyclical	3.6%	-
Basic Materials	3.4%	-
Real Estate	2.3%	-
Energy	1.7%	0.2%
Utilities	1.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	-
Communication Services	0.6%	0.9%
Industrials	0.3%	0.1%
Healthcare	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

FRDM vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

FRDM

FRDM Risk / Return Rank: 84
FRDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
FRDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
FRDM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FRDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FRDM Martin Ratio Rank: 84

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 54
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 52
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

FRDM vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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.

	FRDM	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	1.45	+0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	1.93	+0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.25	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.74	2.23	+1.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.45	6.53	+5.92

FRDM vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FRDM Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is higher than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FRDM and XLK, 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

FRDM vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FRDM drawdown since its inception was -40.49%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRDM and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	FRDM	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.49%	-82.05%	+41.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.87%	-15.92%	-0.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.87%	-25.66%	+8.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.25%	-33.56%	+4.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.99%	-11.25%	-3.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.09%	-34.83%	+27.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.06%	5.43%	-0.37%

Volatility

FRDM vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a higher volatility of 12.98% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 9.59%. This indicates that FRDM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FRDM	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.98%	9.59%	+3.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.60%	20.94%	+6.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.70%	24.61%	+5.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.10%	25.57%	-3.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.48%	24.81%	-1.33%

FRDM vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

FRDM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FRDM vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

FRDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, more than XLK's 0.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	1.71%	2.26%	2.53%	2.66%	2.72%	2.17%	1.11%	1.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.45%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FRDM and XLK in my portfolio?

FRDM and XLK have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FRDM or XLK?

FRDM has higher volatility (12.98%) compared to XLK (9.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FRDM dropped -40.49% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, FRDM or XLK?

On 5-year performance, XLK leads with 19.16% vs 16.96% for FRDM. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLK has been the lower-risk option at 9.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FRDM or XLK?

Over the 5-year period, XLK has performed better with a 19.16% return vs 16.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FRDM or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for FRDM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FRDM or XLK?

FRDM has the higher dividend yield at 1.71%, compared with 0.45% for XLK.

What is the main difference between FRDM and XLK?

FRDM is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while XLK is Technology Equities. FRDM tracks Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. They also come from different issuers: Freedom Funds and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for FRDM and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FRDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.45), 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.