GS vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 19, 2026

GS (The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.) is a stock, while XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, GS returned 24.74%/yr vs 13.28%/yr for XLF. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

GS vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GS achieves a 25.96% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -1.69% return. Over the past 10 years, GS has outperformed XLF with an annualized return of 24.74%, while XLF has yielded a comparatively lower 13.28% annualized return.

GS

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 18.59%
• YTD: 25.96%
• 6M: 26.35%
• 1Y: 76.10%
• 3Y*: 51.50%
• 5Y*: 28.83%
• 10Y*: 24.74%

XLF

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: 4.83%
• YTD: -1.69%
• 6M: -0.93%
• 1Y: 8.32%
• 3Y*: 18.75%
• 5Y*: 10.65%
• 10Y*: 13.28%

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

GS vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GS The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.	25.96%	56.64%	52.03%	15.91%	-7.87%	47.61%	17.45%	40.48%	-33.53%	7.73%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-1.69%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%

Correlation

The correlation between GS and XLF is 0.64, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 1999	0.77

The correlation between GS and XLF shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.81 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GS vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

GS

GS Risk / Return Rank: 91
GS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
GS Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
GS Omega Ratio Rank: 91
GS Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
GS Martin Ratio Rank: 92

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 16
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 16
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

GS vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) 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.

	GS	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.69	0.57	+2.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	0.86	+2.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.11	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.94	0.56	+3.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.07	1.44	+11.63

GS vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GS Sharpe Ratio is 2.69, which is higher than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GS and XLF, 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

GS vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GS drawdown since its inception was -78.84%, roughly equal to the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GS and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	GS	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.84%	-82.69%	+3.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.42%	-14.79%	-4.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.90%	-15.54%	-15.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.84%	-25.81%	-7.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.75%	-42.86%	-5.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.23%	-4.53%	+4.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.63%	-20.00%	-2.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.84%	5.78%	+0.06%

Volatility

GS vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) has a higher volatility of 11.20% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 4.20%. This indicates that GS'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.

Volatility by Period

	GS	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.20%	4.20%	+7.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.23%	11.25%	+11.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.44%	14.60%	+13.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.04%	18.59%	+9.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.87%	22.17%	+7.70%

Dividends

GS vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

GS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%, more than XLF's 1.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GS The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.	1.55%	1.59%	2.01%	2.72%	2.62%	1.70%	1.90%	1.80%	1.89%	1.14%	1.09%	1.41%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.48%	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

Can I hold both GS and XLF in my portfolio?

GS and XLF have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GS or XLF?

GS has higher volatility (11.20%) compared to XLF (4.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GS dropped -78.84% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 0.57), 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.