FTRI vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FTRI (First Trust Indxx Global Natural Resources Income ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy 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 XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTRI returned 10.48%/yr vs 10.08%/yr for XLE. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTRI charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

FTRI vs. XLE - 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 State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTRI achieves a 11.43% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 30.48% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FTRI having a 10.48% annualized return and XLE not far behind at 10.08%.

FTRI

• 1D: 1.37%
• 1M: -0.15%
• YTD: 11.43%
• 6M: 15.73%
• 1Y: 27.60%
• 3Y*: 16.63%
• 5Y*: 8.51%
• 10Y*: 10.48%

XLE

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: -1.51%
• YTD: 30.48%
• 6M: 30.54%
• 1Y: 44.84%
• 3Y*: 16.95%
• 5Y*: 20.29%
• 10Y*: 10.08%

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

FTRI vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTRI First Trust Indxx Global Natural Resources Income ETF	11.43%	33.62%	-3.93%	1.53%	7.49%	25.29%	-0.79%	21.97%	-8.34%	11.77%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	30.48%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between FTRI and XLE is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2015	0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between FTRI and XLE has dropped to 0.25 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FTRI vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTRI	XLE
Basic Materials	56.3%	-
Utilities	16.1%	-
Energy	15.9%	100.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	-
Real Estate	3.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.4%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

FTRI vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTRI

FTRI Risk / Return Rank: 45
FTRI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
FTRI Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
FTRI Omega Ratio Rank: 43
FTRI Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
FTRI Martin Ratio Rank: 45

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 64
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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. XLE - 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 State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	2.20	-0.60
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	2.83	-0.78
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.35	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	3.88	-1.28
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.54	11.35	-3.82
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. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTRI Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTRI and XLE, 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	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.60	2.20	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.78	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.34	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.31	+0.18

Drawdowns

FTRI vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTRI drawdown since its inception was -43.82%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTRI and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTRI	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.82%	-71.26%	+27.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.87%	-12.05%	+0.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.25%	-20.14%	+4.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.51%	-26.04%	-1.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.82%	-66.81%	+22.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.64%	-7.35%	-1.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.47%	-17.98%	+9.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.10%	4.12%	-0.02%

Volatility

FTRI vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Indxx Global Natural Resources Income ETF (FTRI) is 5.57%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 8.19%. This indicates that FTRI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTRI	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.57%	8.19%	-2.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.09%	16.56%	-2.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.48%	20.53%	-3.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.76%	26.01%	-5.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.03%	29.59%	-7.56%

FTRI vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTRI has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTRI vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

FTRI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.32%, less than XLE's 2.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTRI First Trust Indxx Global Natural Resources Income ETF	2.32%	2.35%	4.29%	6.56%	8.37%	6.58%	3.64%	6.25%	4.24%	3.60%	2.96%	0.89%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.57%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTRI and XLE in my portfolio?

FTRI and XLE 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, FTRI or XLE?

XLE has higher volatility (8.19%) compared to FTRI (5.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTRI dropped -43.82% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, FTRI or XLE?

On 10-year performance, FTRI leads with 10.48% vs 10.08% for XLE. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, FTRI has been the lower-risk option at 5.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTRI or XLE?

Over the 10-year period, FTRI has performed better with a 10.48% return vs 10.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTRI or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FTRI.

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

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.57%, compared with 2.32% for FTRI.

What is the main difference between FTRI and XLE?

FTRI is categorized as Commodity Producers Equities, while XLE is Energy Equities. FTRI tracks Indxx Global Natural Resources Income Index, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FTRI and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.60), 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.