HGER vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

HGER (Harbor Commodity All-Weather Strategy ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HGER is a Commodities fund tracking the Quantix Commodity Index - Benchmark TR Net, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, HGER returned 20.87%/yr vs 13.76%/yr for XLU. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HGER charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

HGER vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Commodity All-Weather Strategy ETF (HGER) 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, HGER achieves a 27.03% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.65% return.

HGER

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: -3.84%
• YTD: 27.03%
• 6M: 26.30%
• 1Y: 39.42%
• 3Y*: 20.87%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLU

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -5.24%
• YTD: 3.65%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 11.64%
• 3Y*: 13.76%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: 9.22%

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

HGER vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
HGER Harbor Commodity All-Weather Strategy ETF	27.03%	20.08%	9.25%	1.93%	9.77%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.65%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	8.39%

Correlation

The correlation between HGER and XLU is 0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2022	0.12

The correlation between HGER and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.01 (1 year) to 0.12 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

HGER vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HGER	XLU
Basic Materials	102.4%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

HGER vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

HGER

HGER Risk / Return Rank: 77
HGER Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
HGER Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
HGER Omega Ratio Rank: 74
HGER Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
HGER Martin Ratio Rank: 82

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 24
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 23
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

HGER vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Commodity All-Weather Strategy ETF (HGER) 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.

	HGER	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	0.81	+1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.06	1.18	+1.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.15	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.90	1.27	+3.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.29	2.84	+13.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HGER vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HGER Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HGER 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HGER	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	0.81	+1.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.40	+0.49

Drawdowns

HGER vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HGER drawdown since its inception was -23.31%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HGER and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	HGER	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.31%	-51.98%	+28.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.09%	-9.18%	+1.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.84%	-17.26%	+8.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.26%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.80%	-7.30%	+1.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.65%	-10.22%	+2.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.43%	4.11%	-1.68%

Volatility

HGER vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Harbor Commodity All-Weather Strategy ETF (HGER) is 4.06%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.47%. This indicates that HGER 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

	HGER	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.06%	5.47%	-1.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.55%	11.52%	+3.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.90%	14.57%	+2.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.61%	17.32%	+0.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.61%	19.25%	-1.64%

HGER vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

HGER has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

HGER vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

HGER's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.58%, more than XLU's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HGER Harbor Commodity All-Weather Strategy ETF	5.58%	7.09%	3.28%	7.24%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.71%	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 HGER and XLU in my portfolio?

HGER and XLU have a correlation of 0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HGER or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.47%) compared to HGER (4.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HGER dropped -23.31% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, HGER or XLU?

On 3-year performance, HGER leads with 20.87% vs 13.76% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, HGER has been the lower-risk option at 4.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HGER or XLU?

Over the 3-year period, HGER has performed better with a 20.87% return vs 13.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HGER or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for HGER.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HGER or XLU?

HGER has the higher dividend yield at 5.58%, compared with 2.71% for XLU.

What is the main difference between HGER and XLU?

HGER is categorized as Commodities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. HGER tracks Quantix Commodity Index - Benchmark TR Net, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Harbor and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for HGER and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HGER currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 0.81), 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.