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IGF vs. XLU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IGF vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IGF (iShares Global Infrastructure ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGF is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Infrastructure Index (Net), while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGF returned 8.79%/yr vs 9.35%/yr for XLU. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IGF charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

IGF vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGF achieves a 9.67% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 6.99% return. Over the past 10 years, IGF has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 8.79%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.35% annualized return.

IGF

1D
-0.03%
1M
-0.16%
YTD
9.67%
6M
8.98%
1Y
17.62%
3Y*
16.78%
5Y*
10.70%
10Y*
8.79%

XLU

1D
0.78%
1M
0.02%
YTD
6.99%
6M
7.17%
1Y
14.05%
3Y*
14.90%
5Y*
10.60%
10Y*
9.35%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IGF vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IGF
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF		9.67%21.31%14.81%6.14%-1.26%11.57%-6.50%25.82%-9.95%19.31%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		6.99%16.03%23.31%-7.18%1.44%17.70%0.51%25.93%3.94%12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between IGF and XLU is 0.67, 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

0.67

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.74

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.72

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.68

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2007

0.65

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

IGF vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IGF
XLU

Industrials

40.6%

-

Utilities

39.7%
100.0%

Energy

19.6%

-

Real Estate

0.1%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Technology

-

-

Industrials

IGF
40.6%
XLU

-

Utilities

IGF
39.7%
XLU
100.0%

Energy

IGF
19.6%
XLU

-

Real Estate

IGF
0.1%
XLU

-

Basic Materials

IGF

-

XLU

-

Communication Services

IGF

-

XLU

-

Consumer Cyclical

IGF

-

XLU

-

Consumer Defensive

IGF

-

XLU

-

Financial Services

IGF

-

XLU

-

Healthcare

IGF

-

XLU

-

Technology

IGF

-

XLU

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares Global Infrastructure ETF

State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF

Often compared with IGF:
IGF vs. IFRAIGF vs. GIIIGF vs. NFRAIGF vs. SPYIGF vs. GLIFXIGF vs. VPUIGF vs. VOO
Often compared with XLU:
XLU vs. VPUXLU vs. XLEXLU vs. XLPXLU vs. SPYXLU vs. FUTYXLU vs. UTESXLU vs. IDU

Return for Risk

IGF vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IGF
IGF Risk / Return Rank: 5353
Overall Rank
IGF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IGF Sortino Ratio Rank: 5151
Sortino Ratio Rank
IGF Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
IGF Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
IGF Martin Ratio Rank: 5151
Martin Ratio Rank
XLU
XLU Risk / Return Rank: 2727
Overall Rank
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2828
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2525
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 2525
Omega Ratio Rank
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 3232
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 2626
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IGF vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) 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.

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.

IGFXLUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.68
0.96

+0.72

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.39
1.37

+1.02

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.30

1.17

+0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.02

1.54

+1.48

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.52

3.26

+5.26

IGF vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGF Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGF 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.

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Drawdowns

IGF vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGF drawdown since its inception was -58.33%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGF and XLU.

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Drawdown Indicators

IGFXLUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.33%

-51.98%

-6.35%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.87%

-9.18%

+3.31%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.28%

-17.26%

+2.98%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-20.83%

-25.26%

+4.43%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.11%

-36.07%

-6.04%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.99%

-4.30%

+1.31%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.84%

-10.21%

-1.63%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.07%

4.32%

-2.25%

Volatility

IGF vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) is 3.35%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.21%. This indicates that IGF 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.

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Volatility by Period

IGFXLUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.35%

5.21%

-1.86%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.73%

11.70%

-2.97%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.56%

14.69%

-4.13%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.96%

17.30%

-3.34%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.73%

19.29%

-2.56%

IGF vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGF has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGF vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

IGF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.91%, more than XLU's 2.65% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IGF
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF		2.91%3.23%3.21%3.36%2.67%2.42%2.33%3.27%3.52%2.95%2.98%3.25%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		2.65%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

IGF and XLU have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

XLU has higher volatility (5.21%) compared to IGF (3.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGF dropped -58.33% vs XLU's -51.98%.

On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 9.35% vs 8.79% for IGF. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, IGF has been the lower-risk option at 3.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, XLU has performed better with a 9.35% return vs 8.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for IGF.

IGF has the higher dividend yield at 2.91%, compared with 2.65% for XLU.

IGF is categorized as Industrials Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. IGF tracks S&P Global Infrastructure Index (Net), while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for IGF and 0.08% for XLU.

IGF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 0.96), 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.

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