HWC vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HWC (Hancock Whitney Corporation) 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, HWC returned 12.90%/yr vs 12.38%/yr for XLF. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

HWC vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hancock Whitney Corporation (HWC) 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, HWC achieves a 6.38% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -6.64% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with HWC having a 12.90% annualized return and XLF not far behind at 12.38%.

HWC

• 1D: -2.14%
• 1M: 1.27%
• YTD: 6.38%
• 6M: 8.41%
• 1Y: 25.70%
• 3Y*: 21.68%
• 5Y*: 9.19%
• 10Y*: 12.90%

XLF

• 1D: -1.15%
• 1M: -1.38%
• YTD: -6.64%
• 6M: -4.18%
• 1Y: 1.13%
• 3Y*: 17.64%
• 5Y*: 7.61%
• 10Y*: 12.38%

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

HWC vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HWC Hancock Whitney Corporation	6.38%	20.02%	16.07%	3.30%	-1.23%	50.58%	-19.11%	30.21%	-28.49%	17.20%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-6.64%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%

Correlation

The correlation between HWC and XLF is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2001	0.67

The correlation between HWC and XLF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HWC vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

HWC

HWC Risk / Return Rank: 67
HWC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
HWC Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
HWC Omega Ratio Rank: 64
HWC Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
HWC Martin Ratio Rank: 69

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 9
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

HWC vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hancock Whitney Corporation (HWC) 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.

	HWC	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.98	0.08	+0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.40	0.20	+1.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.02	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.48	0.08	+1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.50	0.20	+3.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HWC vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HWC Sharpe Ratio is 0.98, which is higher than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HWC 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HWC	XLF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98	0.08	+0.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.41	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	0.56	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.20	+0.07

Drawdowns

HWC vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HWC drawdown since its inception was -70.93%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HWC and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	HWC	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.93%	-82.69%	+11.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.45%	-14.79%	-2.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.77%	-15.54%	-10.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.90%	-25.81%	-16.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-70.93%	-42.86%	-28.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.96%	-9.34%	+0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.43%	-20.03%	-1.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.36%	5.66%	+1.70%

Volatility

HWC vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

Hancock Whitney Corporation (HWC) has a higher volatility of 7.56% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 3.29%. This indicates that HWC'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

	HWC	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.56%	3.29%	+4.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.26%	10.94%	+6.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.36%	14.41%	+11.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.34%	18.63%	+14.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.28%	22.16%	+17.12%

Dividends

HWC vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

HWC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, more than XLF's 1.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HWC Hancock Whitney Corporation	2.75%	2.83%	2.74%	2.47%	2.23%	2.16%	3.17%	2.46%	2.94%	1.94%	2.23%	3.81%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.56%	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 HWC and XLF in my portfolio?

HWC and XLF have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HWC or XLF?

HWC has higher volatility (7.56%) compared to XLF (3.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HWC dropped -70.93% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HWC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.98 vs 0.08), 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.