HDV vs. XLB

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

HDV (iShares Core High Dividend ETF) and XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HDV is a Dividend fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index, while XLB is a Materials fund tracking the Materials Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HDV returned 9.47%/yr vs 10.54%/yr for XLB. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HDV charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLB.

Performance

HDV vs. XLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) 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 HDV having a 15.30% return and XLB slightly higher at 15.57%. Over the past 10 years, HDV has underperformed XLB with an annualized return of 9.47%, while XLB has yielded a comparatively higher 10.54% annualized return.

HDV

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: 2.05%
• YTD: 15.30%
• 6M: 15.20%
• 1Y: 21.86%
• 3Y*: 15.16%
• 5Y*: 10.91%
• 10Y*: 9.47%

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)

HDV vs. XLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HDV iShares Core High Dividend ETF	15.30%	11.90%	14.16%	1.72%	7.05%	19.45%	-6.48%	20.22%	-3.01%	13.40%
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 HDV and XLB is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2011	0.70

Over the past year, the correlation between HDV and XLB has dropped to 0.50 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

HDV vs. XLB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HDV	XLB
Consumer Defensive	24.2%	-
Energy	21.0%	-
Healthcare	17.0%	-
Financial Services	10.8%	-
Technology	9.7%	-
Utilities	8.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	12.7%
Industrials	1.3%	1.5%
Basic Materials	1.1%	87.3%
Communication Services	0.1%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

HDV vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

HDV

HDV Risk / Return Rank: 80
HDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
HDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
HDV Omega Ratio Rank: 76
HDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
HDV Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

HDV vs. XLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) 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.

	HDV	XLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	1.17	+1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	1.73	+1.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.20	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.18	1.65	+2.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.59	5.05	+6.54

HDV vs. XLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is higher than the XLB Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HDV 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

HDV vs. XLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HDV drawdown since its inception was -37.04%, smaller than the maximum XLB drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HDV and XLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	HDV	XLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.04%	-59.83%	+22.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.18%	-12.38%	+7.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.49%	-23.17%	+12.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.42%	-24.72%	+9.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.04%	-37.27%	+0.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-2.25%	+1.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.08%	-10.83%	+7.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.87%	4.04%	-2.17%

Volatility

HDV vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) is 3.10%, while Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) has a volatility of 7.05%. This indicates that HDV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HDV	XLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.10%	7.05%	-3.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.44%	13.58%	-6.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.73%	17.49%	-7.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.83%	19.06%	-6.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.73%	20.70%	-4.97%

HDV vs. XLB - Expense Ratio Comparison

HDV has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than XLB's 0.13% 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

HDV vs. XLB - Dividend Comparison

HDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.84%, more than XLB's 1.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HDV iShares Core High Dividend ETF	2.84%	3.22%	3.67%	3.82%	3.56%	3.47%	4.07%	3.27%	3.67%	3.27%	3.28%	3.92%
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 HDV and XLB in my portfolio?

HDV and XLB have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HDV or XLB?

XLB has higher volatility (7.05%) compared to HDV (3.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HDV dropped -37.04% vs XLB's -59.83%.

Which ETF is better, HDV or XLB?

On 10-year performance, XLB leads with 10.54% vs 9.47% for HDV. On fees, HDV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, HDV has been the lower-risk option at 3.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HDV or XLB?

Over the 10-year period, XLB has performed better with a 10.54% return vs 9.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HDV or XLB?

HDV is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for XLB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HDV or XLB?

HDV has the higher dividend yield at 2.84%, compared with 1.68% for XLB.

What is the main difference between HDV and XLB?

HDV is categorized as Dividend, while XLB is Materials. HDV tracks Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index, while XLB tracks Materials Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for HDV and 0.13% for XLB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 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.