GCAL vs. XLEI

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

GCAL (Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF) and XLEI (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GCAL is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by Goldman Sachs, while XLEI is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Energy Select Sector. GCAL is actively managed, while XLEI is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.21, they often move in opposite directions. GCAL charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLEI.

Performance

GCAL vs. XLEI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF (GCAL) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GCAL achieves a 1.77% return, which is significantly lower than XLEI's 14.83% return.

GCAL

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 1.13%
• YTD: 1.77%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 6.41%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLEI

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: -4.42%
• YTD: 14.83%
• 6M: 15.67%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GCAL vs. XLEI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GCAL Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF	1.77%	4.22%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	14.83%	6.17%

Correlation

The correlation between GCAL and XLEI is -0.21, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	-0.21

Return for Risk

GCAL vs. XLEI — Risk / Return Rank

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

GCAL

GCAL Risk / Return Rank: 79
GCAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
GCAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
GCAL Omega Ratio Rank: 92
GCAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
GCAL Martin Ratio Rank: 63

XLEI

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

GCAL vs. XLEI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF (GCAL) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). 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.

	GCAL	XLEI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.65	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.87	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.35	—	—

Drawdowns

GCAL vs. XLEI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GCAL drawdown since its inception was -4.39%, smaller than the maximum XLEI drawdown of -7.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GCAL and XLEI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GCAL	XLEI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.39%	-7.98%	+3.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-5.56%	+5.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.85%	-1.67%	+0.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.62%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GCAL	XLEI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.69%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.80%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43%	13.89%	-11.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.60%	13.89%	-10.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.60%	13.89%	-10.29%

GCAL vs. XLEI - Expense Ratio Comparison

GCAL has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than XLEI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

GCAL vs. XLEI - Dividend Comparison

GCAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.31%, less than XLEI's 17.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
GCAL Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF	3.31%	3.06%	1.41%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	17.40%	10.17%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GCAL and XLEI in my portfolio?

GCAL and XLEI have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, GCAL or XLEI?

On fees, GCAL is cheaper at 0.30% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GCAL or XLEI?

GCAL is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLEI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GCAL or XLEI?

XLEI has the higher dividend yield at 17.40%, compared with 3.31% for GCAL.

What is the main difference between GCAL and XLEI?

GCAL is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while XLEI is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for GCAL and 0.35% for XLEI.