GTEK vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

GTEK (Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Technology Equities funds. GTEK is actively managed, while XLK is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GTEK returned 36.14%/yr vs 32.46%/yr for XLK. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GTEK charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

GTEK vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF (GTEK) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GTEK achieves a 56.64% return, which is significantly higher than XLK's 33.79% return.

GTEK

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: 11.27%
• YTD: 56.64%
• 6M: 56.77%
• 1Y: 83.43%
• 3Y*: 36.14%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLK

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 6.65%
• YTD: 33.79%
• 6M: 32.69%
• 1Y: 60.87%
• 3Y*: 32.46%
• 5Y*: 22.53%
• 10Y*: 26.01%

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

GTEK vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GTEK Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF	56.64%	23.68%	15.94%	33.58%	-46.73%	-2.50%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	33.79%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	10.55%

Correlation

The correlation between GTEK and XLK is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2021	0.86

The correlation between GTEK and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

GTEK vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GTEK	XLK
Technology	75.2%	99.7%
Industrials	7.8%	0.1%
Communication Services	4.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.7%	-
Basic Materials	3.4%	-
Real Estate	2.6%	-
Financial Services	1.3%	-
Healthcare	1.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.2%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

GTEK vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

GTEK

GTEK Risk / Return Rank: 89
GTEK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
GTEK Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
GTEK Omega Ratio Rank: 82
GTEK Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
GTEK Martin Ratio Rank: 93

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 77
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 77
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

GTEK vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF (GTEK) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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.

	GTEK	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.96	2.65	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	3.20	+0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.43	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.53	3.84	+3.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.36	12.30	+11.05

GTEK vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GTEK Sharpe Ratio is 2.96, which is comparable to the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GTEK and XLK, 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

GTEK vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GTEK drawdown since its inception was -53.77%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GTEK and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	GTEK	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.77%	-82.05%	+28.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.13%	-15.92%	+4.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.49%	-25.66%	-1.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.56%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.94%	+2.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.25%	-34.90%	+7.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.58%	4.96%	-1.38%

Volatility

GTEK vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF (GTEK) has a higher volatility of 13.45% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 11.64%. This indicates that GTEK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GTEK	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.45%	11.64%	+1.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.37%	19.23%	+5.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.38%	23.12%	+5.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.65%	25.30%	+3.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.65%	24.71%	+3.94%

GTEK vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

GTEK has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

GTEK vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

GTEK has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GTEK Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.26%	0.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.41%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GTEK and XLK in my portfolio?

GTEK and XLK 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, GTEK or XLK?

GTEK has higher volatility (13.45%) compared to XLK (11.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GTEK dropped -53.77% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, GTEK or XLK?

On 3-year performance, GTEK leads with 36.14% vs 32.46% for XLK. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLK has been the lower-risk option at 11.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GTEK or XLK?

Over the 3-year period, GTEK has performed better with a 36.14% return vs 32.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GTEK or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GTEK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GTEK or XLK?

XLK has the higher dividend yield at 0.52%, compared with 0.00% for GTEK.

What is the main difference between GTEK and XLK?

They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GTEK and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GTEK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.96 vs 2.65), 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.