HYMB vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HYMB (SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HYMB is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Municipal Yield, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HYMB returned 2.46%/yr vs 10.22%/yr for XLE. At a correlation of -0.09, they often move in opposite directions. HYMB charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

HYMB vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF (HYMB) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HYMB achieves a 2.87% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 32.17% return. Over the past 10 years, HYMB has underperformed XLE with an annualized return of 2.46%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively higher 10.22% annualized return.

HYMB

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 1.19%
• YTD: 2.87%
• 6M: 3.18%
• 1Y: 7.43%
• 3Y*: 5.09%
• 5Y*: 0.42%
• 10Y*: 2.46%

XLE

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: -1.14%
• YTD: 32.17%
• 6M: 29.80%
• 1Y: 45.00%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 20.44%
• 10Y*: 10.22%

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

HYMB vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HYMB SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF	2.87%	2.04%	5.52%	7.73%	-15.54%	5.16%	3.74%	9.51%	4.91%	3.22%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	32.17%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between HYMB and XLE is -0.21, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.07
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.05
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2011	-0.09

The correlation between HYMB and XLE shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to -0.05 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

HYMB vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HYMB	XLE
Utilities	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	100.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

HYMB vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

HYMB

HYMB Risk / Return Rank: 53
HYMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
HYMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
HYMB Omega Ratio Rank: 60
HYMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
HYMB Martin Ratio Rank: 49

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 63
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 56
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

HYMB vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF (HYMB) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

	HYMB	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	2.21	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	2.84	-0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.35	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	3.75	-1.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.51	10.92	-2.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HYMB vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HYMB Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HYMB and XLE, 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

	HYMB	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84	2.21	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.79	-0.73
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22	0.35	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.31	+0.14

Drawdowns

HYMB vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HYMB drawdown since its inception was -29.57%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYMB and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	HYMB	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.57%	-71.26%	+41.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.11%	-12.05%	+8.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.44%	-20.14%	+12.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.15%	-26.04%	+5.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-66.81%	+37.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-6.15%	+6.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.81%	-17.98%	+14.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	4.14%	-3.26%

Volatility

HYMB vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF (HYMB) is 1.35%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 8.25%. This indicates that HYMB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HYMB	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.35%	8.25%	-6.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.14%	16.58%	-13.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.05%	20.53%	-16.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.66%	26.02%	-19.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.36%	29.59%	-18.23%

HYMB vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

HYMB has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

HYMB vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

HYMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.54%, more than XLE's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HYMB SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF	4.54%	4.55%	4.29%	4.07%	3.77%	3.19%	3.55%	3.95%	4.03%	3.78%	4.08%	4.54%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.54%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HYMB and XLE in my portfolio?

HYMB and XLE have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HYMB or XLE?

XLE has higher volatility (8.25%) compared to HYMB (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYMB dropped -29.57% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, HYMB or XLE?

On 10-year performance, XLE leads with 10.22% vs 2.46% for HYMB. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, HYMB has been the lower-risk option at 1.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HYMB or XLE?

Over the 10-year period, XLE has performed better with a 10.22% return vs 2.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HYMB or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for HYMB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HYMB or XLE?

HYMB has the higher dividend yield at 4.54%, compared with 2.54% for XLE.

What is the main difference between HYMB and XLE?

HYMB is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while XLE is Energy Equities. HYMB tracks Bloomberg Municipal Yield, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for HYMB and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.84), 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.