FUTY vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

FUTY (Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FUTY is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Utilities Index, while XLF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FUTY returned 9.07%/yr vs 13.33%/yr for XLF. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.08% expense ratio.

Performance

FUTY vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF (FUTY) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FUTY achieves a 4.88% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -2.11% return. Over the past 10 years, FUTY has underperformed XLF with an annualized return of 9.07%, while XLF has yielded a comparatively higher 13.33% annualized return.

FUTY

• 1D: 1.14%
• 1M: -0.88%
• YTD: 4.88%
• 6M: 5.07%
• 1Y: 12.59%
• 3Y*: 13.69%
• 5Y*: 9.19%
• 10Y*: 9.07%

XLF

• 1D: 1.37%
• 1M: 4.00%
• YTD: -2.11%
• 6M: -2.09%
• 1Y: 8.41%
• 3Y*: 18.86%
• 5Y*: 9.15%
• 10Y*: 13.33%

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

FUTY vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FUTY Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF	4.88%	16.40%	23.20%	-7.46%	1.12%	17.53%	-0.80%	24.89%	4.36%	12.52%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-2.11%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%

Correlation

The correlation between FUTY and XLF is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2013	0.31

The correlation between FUTY and XLF shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (1 year) to 0.41 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FUTY vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FUTY	XLF
Utilities	99.3%	-
Energy	0.5%	-
Industrials	0.2%	0.2%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	98.0%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

FUTY vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

FUTY

FUTY Risk / Return Rank: 26
FUTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
FUTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
FUTY Omega Ratio Rank: 24
FUTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
FUTY Martin Ratio Rank: 24

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 15
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 15
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

FUTY vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF (FUTY) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). 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.

	FUTY	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.82	0.42	+0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.19	0.67	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.08	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.33	0.42	+0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.88	1.08	+1.80

FUTY vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FUTY Sharpe Ratio is 0.82, which is higher than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FUTY and XLF, 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

FUTY vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FUTY drawdown since its inception was -36.44%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FUTY and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	FUTY	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.44%	-82.69%	+46.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.93%	-14.79%	+5.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.35%	-15.54%	-1.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.11%	-25.81%	+0.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.44%	-42.86%	+6.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.74%	-4.94%	-0.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.03%	-20.01%	+13.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.11%	5.76%	-1.65%

Volatility

FUTY vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF (FUTY) has a higher volatility of 5.63% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 4.23%. This indicates that FUTY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FUTY	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.63%	4.23%	+1.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.54%	11.26%	+0.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.43%	14.69%	-0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.10%	18.66%	-1.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.06%	22.17%	-3.11%

FUTY vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FUTY and XLF have an expense ratio of 0.08%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FUTY vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

FUTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.57%, more than XLF's 1.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FUTY Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF	2.57%	2.67%	2.96%	3.31%	2.72%	2.70%	3.07%	2.82%	3.11%	3.03%	3.35%	4.33%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.49%	1.31%	1.42%	1.71%	2.04%	1.63%	2.03%	1.87%	2.08%	1.48%	21.10%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FUTY and XLF in my portfolio?

FUTY and XLF have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FUTY or XLF?

FUTY has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to XLF (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FUTY dropped -36.44% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which ETF is better, FUTY or XLF?

On 10-year performance, XLF leads with 13.33% vs 9.07% for FUTY. Both ETFs have the same 0.08% expense ratio. On volatility, XLF has been the lower-risk option at 4.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FUTY or XLF?

Over the 10-year period, XLF has performed better with a 13.33% return vs 9.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FUTY or XLF?

FUTY and XLF have the same expense ratio: 0.08% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FUTY or XLF?

FUTY has the higher dividend yield at 2.57%, compared with 1.49% for XLF.

What is the main difference between FUTY and XLF?

FUTY is categorized as Utilities Equities, while XLF is Financials Equities. FUTY tracks MSCI USA IMI Utilities Index, while XLF tracks Financial Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Fidelity and State Street.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FUTY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.82 vs 0.42), 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.