GRW vs. XLE

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

GRW (TCW Durable Growth ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GRW is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by TCW, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. GRW is actively managed, while XLE is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.58, they often move in opposite directions. GRW charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

GRW vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TCW Durable Growth ETF (GRW) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

GRW

• 1D: -1.53%
• 1M: 0.44%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLE

• 1D: 3.01%
• 1M: -0.70%
• 6M: 24.13%
• YTD: 28.66%
• 1Y: 31.29%
• 3Y*: 15.32%
• 5Y*: 21.79%
• 10Y*: 9.42%

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

GRW vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
GRW TCW Durable Growth ETF	1.86%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.28%

Correlation

The correlation between GRW and XLE is -0.58, 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 May 28, 2026	-0.58

GRW vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GRW	XLE
Industrials	39.6%	-
Technology	25.9%	-
Financial Services	8.7%	-
Communication Services	7.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	-
Basic Materials	3.9%	-
Healthcare	3.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	100.0%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

GRW vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

GRW

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

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 50
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 48
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

GRW vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TCW Durable Growth ETF (GRW) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

	GRW	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.50	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.03	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.25	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.10	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	5.70	—

Drawdowns

GRW vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GRW drawdown since its inception was -3.83%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRW and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	GRW	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.83%	-71.26%	+67.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-14.98%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-20.14%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.04%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-66.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.91%	-8.65%	+5.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.07%	-17.95%	+16.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.53%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GRW	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	7.32%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	16.68%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.94%	21.06%	-4.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.94%	25.95%	-9.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.94%	29.58%	-12.64%

GRW vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

GRW has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

GRW vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

GRW has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GRW TCW Durable Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.67%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GRW and XLE in my portfolio?

GRW and XLE have a correlation of -0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, GRW or XLE?

On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GRW or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GRW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GRW or XLE?

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 0.00% for GRW.

What is the main difference between GRW and XLE?

GRW is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while XLE is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: TCW and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GRW and 0.08% for XLE.