GOOGL vs. XLB

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

GOOGL (Alphabet Inc. Class A) is a stock, while XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Materials fund tracking the Materials Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, GOOGL returned 25.76%/yr vs 10.54%/yr for XLB. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GOOGL vs. XLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alphabet Inc. Class A (GOOGL) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GOOGL having a 15.06% return and XLB slightly higher at 15.57%. Over the past 10 years, GOOGL has outperformed XLB with an annualized return of 25.76%, while XLB has yielded a comparatively lower 10.54% annualized return.

GOOGL

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -10.27%
• YTD: 15.06%
• 6M: 16.44%
• 1Y: 106.51%
• 3Y*: 43.10%
• 5Y*: 24.46%
• 10Y*: 25.76%

XLB

• 1D: 1.87%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: 15.57%
• 6M: 16.68%
• 1Y: 21.77%
• 3Y*: 10.88%
• 5Y*: 6.01%
• 10Y*: 10.54%

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

GOOGL vs. XLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GOOGL Alphabet Inc. Class A	15.06%	65.99%	36.01%	58.32%	-39.09%	65.30%	30.85%	28.18%	-0.80%	32.93%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	15.57%	9.94%	0.15%	12.46%	-12.30%	27.44%	20.46%	24.13%	-14.88%	24.01%

Correlation

The correlation between GOOGL and XLB is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2004	0.44

Over the past year, the correlation between GOOGL and XLB has dropped to 0.21 - well below their long-term average of 0.44, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

GOOGL vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

GOOGL

GOOGL Risk / Return Rank: 96
GOOGL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
GOOGL Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
GOOGL Omega Ratio Rank: 96
GOOGL Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
GOOGL Martin Ratio Rank: 95

XLB

XLB Risk / Return Rank: 37
XLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
XLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
XLB Omega Ratio Rank: 34
XLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
XLB Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

GOOGL vs. XLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alphabet Inc. Class A (GOOGL) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). 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.

	GOOGL	XLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.62	1.17	+2.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.92	1.73	+3.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.20	+0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.20	1.65	+3.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.48	5.05	+13.43

GOOGL vs. XLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GOOGL Sharpe Ratio is 3.62, which is higher than the XLB Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GOOGL and XLB, 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

GOOGL vs. XLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GOOGL drawdown since its inception was -65.29%, which is greater than XLB's maximum drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOOGL and XLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	GOOGL	XLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.29%	-59.83%	-5.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.37%	-12.38%	-7.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.81%	-23.17%	-6.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.32%	-24.72%	-19.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.32%	-37.27%	-7.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.61%	-2.25%	-8.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.01%	-10.83%	-2.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.72%	4.04%	+1.68%

Volatility

GOOGL vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison

Alphabet Inc. Class A (GOOGL) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) have volatilities of 7.24% and 7.05%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GOOGL	XLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.24%	7.05%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.82%	13.58%	+7.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.31%	17.49%	+11.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.33%	19.06%	+12.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.13%	20.70%	+8.43%

Dividends

GOOGL vs. XLB - Dividend Comparison

GOOGL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%, less than XLB's 1.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GOOGL Alphabet Inc. Class A	0.24%	0.27%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.68%	1.92%	1.92%	2.00%	2.26%	1.62%	1.72%	1.98%	2.20%	1.66%	1.95%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GOOGL and XLB in my portfolio?

GOOGL and XLB 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 is riskier, GOOGL or XLB?

GOOGL has higher volatility (7.24%) compared to XLB (7.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOOGL dropped -65.29% vs XLB's -59.83%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GOOGL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.62 vs 1.17), 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.