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IJH vs. XLU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IJH vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

IJH (iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJH is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJH returned 11.45%/yr vs 9.14%/yr for XLU. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IJH charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

IJH vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) 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, IJH achieves a 14.66% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.91% return. Over the past 10 years, IJH has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 11.45%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.14% annualized return.

IJH

1D
2.51%
1M
2.96%
YTD
14.66%
6M
11.74%
1Y
25.20%
3Y*
15.52%
5Y*
8.10%
10Y*
11.45%

XLU

1D
0.11%
1M
-2.52%
YTD
3.91%
6M
3.83%
1Y
11.99%
3Y*
13.37%
5Y*
9.18%
10Y*
9.14%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IJH vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IJH
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF		14.66%7.42%13.92%16.40%-13.11%24.72%13.60%26.10%-11.19%16.26%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		3.91%16.03%23.31%-7.18%1.44%17.70%0.51%25.93%3.94%12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between IJH and XLU is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.28

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

0.37

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

0.40

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

0.35

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2000

0.46

The correlation between IJH and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (1 year) to 0.46 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IJH vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IJH
XLU

Industrials

25.0%

-

Technology

15.7%

-

Financial Services

14.4%

-

Consumer Cyclical

10.7%

-

Healthcare

8.6%

-

Real Estate

7.5%

-

Energy

5.5%

-

Basic Materials

4.8%

-

Consumer Defensive

3.8%

-

Utilities

3.1%
100.0%

Communication Services

1.0%

-

Industrials

IJH
25.0%
XLU

-

Technology

IJH
15.7%
XLU

-

Financial Services

IJH
14.4%
XLU

-

Consumer Cyclical

IJH
10.7%
XLU

-

Healthcare

IJH
8.6%
XLU

-

Real Estate

IJH
7.5%
XLU

-

Energy

IJH
5.5%
XLU

-

Basic Materials

IJH
4.8%
XLU

-

Consumer Defensive

IJH
3.8%
XLU

-

Utilities

IJH
3.1%
XLU
100.0%

Communication Services

IJH
1.0%
XLU

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF

State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF

Often compared with IJH:
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Often compared with XLU:
XLU vs. VPUXLU vs. XLEXLU vs. XLPXLU vs. SPYXLU vs. FUTYXLU vs. UTESXLU vs. IDU

Return for Risk

IJH vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IJH
IJH Risk / Return Rank: 6262
Overall Rank
IJH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5757
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJH Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJH Omega Ratio Rank: 5555
Omega Ratio Rank
IJH Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJH Martin Ratio Rank: 6969
Martin Ratio Rank
XLU
XLU Risk / Return Rank: 2828
Overall Rank
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2828
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2626
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 2626
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.

IJH vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) 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.

IJHXLUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.59
0.82

+0.77

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.33
1.19

+1.14

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.28

1.15

+0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.87

1.31

+1.56

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.47

2.84

+7.63

IJH vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJH Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJH 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

IJH vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJH drawdown since its inception was -55.07%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJH and XLU.

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Drawdown Indicators

IJHXLUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.07%

-51.98%

-3.09%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.83%

-9.18%

+0.35%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.10%

-17.26%

-6.84%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.10%

-25.26%

+1.16%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.18%

-36.07%

-6.11%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-7.06%

+7.06%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.56%

-10.22%

+2.66%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.41%

4.23%

-1.82%

Volatility

IJH vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) is 5.07%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.58%. This indicates that IJH 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

IJHXLUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.07%

5.58%

-0.51%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.85%

11.63%

+0.22%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.89%

14.63%

+1.26%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.80%

17.34%

+2.46%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.20%

19.27%

+1.93%

IJH vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJH has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IJH vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

IJH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%, less than XLU's 2.70% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IJH
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF		1.18%1.36%1.33%1.46%1.68%1.18%1.28%1.63%1.72%1.19%1.60%1.56%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		2.70%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

IJH and XLU have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

XLU has higher volatility (5.58%) compared to IJH (5.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJH dropped -55.07% vs XLU's -51.98%.

On 10-year performance, IJH leads with 11.45% vs 9.14% for XLU. On fees, IJH is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IJH has been the lower-risk option at 5.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IJH has performed better with a 11.45% return vs 9.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IJH is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLU.

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.70%, compared with 1.18% for IJH.

IJH is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. IJH tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for IJH and 0.08% for XLU.

IJH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 0.82), 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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