GABF vs. XLF
GABF (Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Financials Equities funds. GABF is actively managed, while XLF is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GABF returned 19.89%/yr vs 19.90%/yr for XLF. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. GABF charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.
Performance
GABF vs. XLF - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GABF achieves a 0.15% return, which is significantly lower than XLF's 5.67% return.
GABF
- 1D
- 2.12%
- 1M
- 2.01%
- 6M
- 0.24%
- YTD
- 0.15%
- 1Y
- 0.48%
- 3Y*
- 19.89%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 18.89%
XLF
- 1D
- 0.77%
- 1M
- 3.16%
- 6M
- 7.12%
- YTD
- 5.67%
- 1Y
- 13.37%
- 3Y*
- 19.90%
- 5Y*
- 11.30%
- 10Y*
- 13.48%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.11%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $107.51K | $101.42K | $192.29K | |
| $1.80B | $1.89B | $1.92B |
GABF vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF | 0.15% | 3.60% | 44.38% | 38.92% | -0.04% |
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF | 5.67% | 14.90% | 30.56% | 12.03% | 2.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between GABF and XLF is 0.87, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.87 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.87 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2022 | 0.88 |
The correlation between GABF and XLF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.
GABF vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
GABF
XLF
Financial Services
Technology
Industrials
Real Estate
-
Basic Materials
-
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Energy
-
-
Healthcare
-
-
Utilities
-
-
Financial Services
GABF
XLF
Technology
GABF
XLF
Industrials
GABF
XLF
Real Estate
GABF
XLF
-
Basic Materials
GABF
-
XLF
-
Communication Services
GABF
-
XLF
-
Consumer Cyclical
GABF
-
XLF
-
Consumer Defensive
GABF
-
XLF
-
Energy
GABF
-
XLF
-
Healthcare
GABF
-
XLF
-
Utilities
GABF
-
XLF
-
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Return for Risk
GABF vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank
GABF
XLF
GABF vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) 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.
| GABF | XLF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.89 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.02 | 1.17 | -0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.03 | 0.91 | -0.88 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.06 | 2.32 | -2.26 |
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Drawdowns
GABF vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GABF drawdown since its inception was -20.86%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GABF and XLF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GABF | XLF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.86% | -82.69% | +61.83% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -17.16% | -14.79% | -2.37% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.86% | -15.54% | -5.32% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -25.81% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -42.86% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.77% | -0.38% | -4.39% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.97% | -19.92% | +14.95% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.90% | 5.78% | +2.12% |
Volatility
GABF vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison
Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) has a higher volatility of 4.88% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 3.88%. This indicates that GABF'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.
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Volatility by Period
| GABF | XLF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.88% | 3.88% | +1.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.34% | 11.12% | +2.22% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.50% | 14.68% | +2.82% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.39% | 18.45% | +1.94% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.39% | 22.08% | -1.69% |
GABF vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison
GABF has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than XLF's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
GABF vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison
GABF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.96%, more than XLF's 1.41% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF | 1.96% | 1.96% | 4.19% | 4.95% | 1.31% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF | 1.41% | 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
GABF and XLF have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GABF has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to XLF (3.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GABF dropped -20.86% vs XLF's -82.69%.
On 3-year performance, XLF leads with 19.90% vs 19.89% for GABF. On fees, XLF is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLF has been the lower-risk option at 3.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, XLF has performed better with a 19.90% return vs 19.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XLF is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for GABF.
GABF has the higher dividend yield at 1.96%, compared with 1.41% for XLF.
They also come from different issuers: Gabelli and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for GABF and 0.08% for XLF.
XLF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.92 vs 0.03), 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.
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