GUT vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

GUT (The Gabelli Utility Trust) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, GUT returned 9.53%/yr vs 9.35%/yr for XLU. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GUT charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

GUT vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GUT achieves a 12.82% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 6.99% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GUT having a 9.53% annualized return and XLU not far behind at 9.35%.

GUT

• 1D: 2.05%
• 1M: 4.67%
• YTD: 12.82%
• 6M: 12.82%
• 1Y: 24.54%
• 3Y*: 9.46%
• 5Y*: 5.98%
• 10Y*: 9.53%

XLU

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 0.02%
• YTD: 6.99%
• 6M: 7.17%
• 1Y: 14.05%
• 3Y*: 14.90%
• 5Y*: 10.60%
• 10Y*: 9.35%

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

GUT vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GUT The Gabelli Utility Trust	12.82%	33.14%	6.01%	-21.07%	-1.10%	9.51%	13.19%	42.32%	-7.87%	22.98%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	6.99%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between GUT and XLU is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 12, 1999	0.25

The correlation between GUT and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.16 (1 year) to 0.26 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GUT vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

GUT

GUT Risk / Return Rank: 58
GUT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
GUT Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
GUT Omega Ratio Rank: 37
GUT Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
GUT Martin Ratio Rank: 86

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 27
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 25
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

GUT vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.

	GUT	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	0.96	+0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	1.37	+0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.17	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.56	1.54	+3.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.13	3.26	+11.87

GUT vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GUT Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GUT and XLU, 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

GUT vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GUT drawdown since its inception was -52.79%, roughly equal to the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GUT and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	GUT	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.79%	-51.98%	-0.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.40%	-9.18%	+3.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.63%	-17.26%	-13.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.94%	-25.26%	-8.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.21%	-36.07%	-6.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-4.30%	+4.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.50%	-10.21%	+1.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	4.32%	-2.69%

Volatility

GUT vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for The Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT) is 3.56%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.21%. This indicates that GUT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GUT	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.56%	5.21%	-1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.62%	11.70%	-1.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.85%	14.69%	+0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.45%	17.30%	+4.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.80%	19.29%	+4.51%

GUT vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

GUT has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

GUT vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

GUT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.26%, more than XLU's 2.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GUT The Gabelli Utility Trust	9.26%	9.95%	11.73%	11.07%	7.99%	7.28%	7.39%	7.72%	10.10%	8.45%	9.52%	10.53%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.65%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GUT and XLU in my portfolio?

GUT and XLU have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GUT or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.21%) compared to GUT (3.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GUT dropped -52.79% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GUT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 0.96), 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.