IDGT vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IDGT (iShares U.S. Digital Infrastructure and Real Estate ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - IDGT tracks the S&P Data Center, Tower REIT and Communications Equipment Index - Benchmark TR Gross while XLK tracks the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IDGT returned 14.39%/yr vs 25.48%/yr for XLK. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IDGT charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

IDGT vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Digital Infrastructure and Real Estate ETF (IDGT) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IDGT achieves a 45.86% return, which is significantly higher than XLK's 28.25% return. Over the past 10 years, IDGT has underperformed XLK with an annualized return of 14.39%, while XLK has yielded a comparatively higher 25.48% annualized return.

IDGT

• 1D: -1.84%
• 1M: -0.76%
• YTD: 45.86%
• 6M: 44.45%
• 1Y: 53.87%
• 3Y*: 24.06%
• 5Y*: 11.98%
• 10Y*: 14.39%

XLK

• 1D: -4.14%
• 1M: 2.23%
• YTD: 28.25%
• 6M: 26.51%
• 1Y: 52.47%
• 3Y*: 30.61%
• 5Y*: 21.34%
• 10Y*: 25.48%

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

IDGT vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IDGT iShares U.S. Digital Infrastructure and Real Estate ETF	45.86%	6.79%	26.71%	-6.09%	-17.90%	42.14%	8.78%	17.39%	-1.97%	11.81%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	28.25%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between IDGT and XLK is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2001	0.76

The correlation between IDGT and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

IDGT vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDGT	XLK
Technology	56.9%	99.7%
Real Estate	35.5%	-
Communication Services	6.7%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.2%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IDGT vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDGT

IDGT Risk / Return Rank: 83
IDGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
IDGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
IDGT Omega Ratio Rank: 76
IDGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
IDGT Martin Ratio Rank: 85

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 66
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 64
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

IDGT vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Digital Infrastructure and Real Estate ETF (IDGT) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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.

	IDGT	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	2.25	+0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	2.77	+0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.38	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.00	3.31	+2.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.17	10.56	+6.61

IDGT vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDGT Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is comparable to the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDGT and XLK, 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

IDGT vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDGT drawdown since its inception was -77.95%, roughly equal to the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDGT and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDGT	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.95%	-82.05%	+4.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.02%	-15.92%	+6.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.74%	-25.66%	+1.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.83%	-33.56%	-2.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.88%	-33.56%	-3.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.71%	-6.96%	+0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.88%	-34.90%	+15.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.15%	4.98%	-1.83%

Volatility

IDGT vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Digital Infrastructure and Real Estate ETF (IDGT) is 9.03%, while State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) has a volatility of 12.51%. This indicates that IDGT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IDGT	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.03%	12.51%	-3.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.61%	19.70%	-2.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.41%	23.48%	-2.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.35%	25.37%	-2.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.32%	24.71%	-1.39%

IDGT vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDGT has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDGT vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

IDGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.74%, more than XLK's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IDGT iShares U.S. Digital Infrastructure and Real Estate ETF	0.74%	1.17%	1.64%	0.37%	0.30%	0.28%	0.60%	0.42%	0.65%	0.57%	0.75%	0.72%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.43%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDGT and XLK in my portfolio?

IDGT and XLK have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDGT or XLK?

XLK has higher volatility (12.51%) compared to IDGT (9.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDGT dropped -77.95% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, IDGT or XLK?

On 10-year performance, XLK leads with 25.48% vs 14.39% for IDGT. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, IDGT has been the lower-risk option at 9.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDGT or XLK?

Over the 10-year period, XLK has performed better with a 25.48% return vs 14.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDGT or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for IDGT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IDGT or XLK?

IDGT has the higher dividend yield at 0.74%, compared with 0.43% for XLK.

What is the main difference between IDGT and XLK?

IDGT tracks S&P Data Center, Tower REIT and Communications Equipment Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for IDGT and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 2.25), 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.