FTRI vs. XLB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTRI (First Trust Indxx Global Natural Resources Income ETF) and XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTRI is a Commodity Producers Equities fund tracking the Indxx Global Natural Resources Income Index, while XLB is a Materials fund tracking the Materials Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTRI returned 10.43%/yr vs 10.23%/yr for XLB. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTRI charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLB.

Performance

FTRI vs. XLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Indxx Global Natural Resources Income ETF (FTRI) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTRI achieves a 10.97% return, which is significantly lower than XLB's 14.35% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FTRI having a 10.43% annualized return and XLB not far behind at 10.23%.

FTRI

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 10.97%
• 6M: 14.06%
• 1Y: 27.35%
• 3Y*: 16.47%
• 5Y*: 8.19%
• 10Y*: 10.43%

XLB

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.93%
• YTD: 14.35%
• 6M: 17.15%
• 1Y: 19.99%
• 3Y*: 11.71%
• 5Y*: 5.35%
• 10Y*: 10.23%

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

FTRI vs. XLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTRI First Trust Indxx Global Natural Resources Income ETF	10.97%	33.62%	-3.93%	1.53%	7.49%	25.29%	-0.79%	21.97%	-8.34%	11.77%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	14.35%	9.94%	0.15%	12.46%	-12.30%	27.44%	20.46%	24.13%	-14.88%	24.01%

Correlation

The correlation between FTRI and XLB 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	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2015	0.65

The correlation between FTRI and XLB shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (10 years) to 0.76 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTRI vs. XLB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTRI	XLB
Basic Materials	56.3%	87.6%
Utilities	16.1%	-
Energy	15.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	-
Real Estate	3.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.4%	12.4%
Communication Services	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	1.5%
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

FTRI vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTRI

FTRI Risk / Return Rank: 43
FTRI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
FTRI Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
FTRI Omega Ratio Rank: 43
FTRI Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
FTRI Martin Ratio Rank: 41

XLB

XLB Risk / Return Rank: 32
XLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
XLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
XLB Omega Ratio Rank: 30
XLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
XLB Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

FTRI vs. XLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Indxx Global Natural Resources Income ETF (FTRI) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). 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.

	FTRI	XLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	1.20	+0.39
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	1.76	+0.28
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.21	+0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.31	1.62	+0.69
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.63	5.06	+1.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTRI vs. XLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTRI Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is higher than the XLB Sharpe Ratio of 1.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTRI and XLB, 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

	FTRI	XLB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59	1.20	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.28	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.50	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.36	+0.12

Drawdowns

FTRI vs. XLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTRI drawdown since its inception was -43.82%, smaller than the maximum XLB drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTRI and XLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTRI	XLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.82%	-59.83%	+16.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.87%	-12.38%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.25%	-23.17%	+7.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.51%	-24.72%	-2.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.82%	-37.27%	-6.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.02%	-3.28%	-5.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.47%	-10.84%	+2.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	3.96%	+0.18%

Volatility

FTRI vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Indxx Global Natural Resources Income ETF (FTRI) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) have volatilities of 5.54% and 5.73%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTRI	XLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.54%	5.73%	-0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.10%	12.85%	+1.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.32%	16.78%	+0.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.76%	18.94%	+1.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.03%	20.65%	+1.38%

FTRI vs. XLB - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTRI has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than XLB's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTRI vs. XLB - Dividend Comparison

FTRI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.33%, more than XLB's 1.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTRI First Trust Indxx Global Natural Resources Income ETF	2.33%	2.35%	4.29%	6.56%	8.37%	6.58%	3.64%	6.25%	4.24%	3.60%	2.96%	0.89%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.69%	1.92%	1.92%	2.00%	2.26%	1.62%	1.72%	1.98%	2.20%	1.66%	1.95%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTRI and XLB in my portfolio?

FTRI and XLB 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, FTRI or XLB?

XLB has higher volatility (5.73%) compared to FTRI (5.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTRI dropped -43.82% vs XLB's -59.83%.

Which ETF is better, FTRI or XLB?

On 10-year performance, FTRI leads with 10.43% vs 10.23% for XLB. On fees, XLB is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, FTRI has been the lower-risk option at 5.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTRI or XLB?

Over the 10-year period, FTRI has performed better with a 10.43% return vs 10.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTRI or XLB?

XLB is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FTRI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTRI or XLB?

FTRI has the higher dividend yield at 2.33%, compared with 1.69% for XLB.

What is the main difference between FTRI and XLB?

FTRI is categorized as Commodity Producers Equities, while XLB is Materials. FTRI tracks Indxx Global Natural Resources Income Index, while XLB tracks Materials Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FTRI and 0.13% for XLB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTRI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 1.20), 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.