GABF vs. XLFI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

GABF (Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF) and XLFI (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GABF is a Financials Equities fund actively managed by Gabelli, while XLFI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, GABF returned -1.61% vs 11.31% for XLFI. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. GABF charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLFI.

Performance

GABF vs. XLFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLFI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GABF achieves a -1.93% return, which is significantly lower than XLFI's 3.17% return.

GABF

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -0.11%
• 6M: -1.06%
• YTD: -1.93%
• 1Y: -1.61%
• 3Y*: 18.82%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.34%

XLFI

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 2.09%
• 6M: 4.95%
• YTD: 3.17%
• 1Y: 11.31%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.72%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	$95.56K	$89.02K	$204.10K
XLFI State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$205.39K	$226.21K	$175.11K

GABF vs. XLFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	-1.93%	-3.51%
XLFI State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	3.17%	5.40%

Correlation

The correlation between GABF and XLFI is 0.85, 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.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.85

The correlation between GABF and XLFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

GABF vs. XLFI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GABF	XLFI
Financial Services	85.6%	100.4%
Technology	5.2%	-
Industrials	4.9%	-
Real Estate	4.3%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

GABF vs. XLFI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

GABF

GABF Risk / Return Rank: 7
GABF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
GABF Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
GABF Omega Ratio Rank: 7
GABF Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
GABF Martin Ratio Rank: 7

XLFI

XLFI Risk / Return Rank: 29
XLFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
XLFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
XLFI Omega Ratio Rank: 31
XLFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
XLFI Martin Ratio Rank: 27

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

GABF vs. XLFI - 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 Premium Income ETF (XLFI). 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	XLFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.25	0.81	-1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.22	1.12	-1.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.15	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.26	0.80	-1.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.56	2.26	-2.82

GABF vs. XLFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GABF Sharpe Ratio is -0.25, which is lower than the XLFI Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GABF and XLFI, 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

GABF vs. XLFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GABF drawdown since its inception was -20.86%, which is greater than XLFI's maximum drawdown of -11.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GABF and XLFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GABF	XLFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.86%	-11.89%	-8.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.16%	-11.89%	-5.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.75%	-1.11%	-5.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.97%	-3.02%	-1.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.90%	4.22%	+3.68%

Volatility

GABF vs. XLFI - Volatility Comparison

Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) has a higher volatility of 4.51% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLFI) at 2.78%. This indicates that GABF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLFI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GABF	XLFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.51%	2.78%	+1.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.17%	9.08%	+4.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.57%	11.88%	+5.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.37%	11.85%	+8.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.37%	11.85%	+8.52%

GABF vs. XLFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

GABF has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than XLFI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

GABF vs. XLFI - Dividend Comparison

GABF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.00%, less than XLFI's 11.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	2.00%	1.96%	4.19%	4.95%	1.31%
XLFI State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	11.29%	5.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GABF and XLFI in my portfolio?

GABF and XLFI have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GABF or XLFI?

GABF has higher volatility (4.51%) compared to XLFI (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GABF dropped -20.86% vs XLFI's -11.89%.

Which ETF is better, GABF or XLFI?

On 1-year performance, XLFI leads with 11.31% vs -1.61% for GABF. On fees, GABF is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, XLFI has been the lower-risk option at 2.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GABF or XLFI?

Over the 1-year period, XLFI has performed better with a 11.31% return vs -1.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GABF or XLFI?

GABF is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLFI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GABF or XLFI?

XLFI has the higher dividend yield at 11.29%, compared with 2.00% for GABF.

What is the main difference between GABF and XLFI?

GABF is categorized as Financials Equities, while XLFI is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Gabelli and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for GABF and 0.35% for XLFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.81 vs -0.25), 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.