INDA vs. XLB

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

INDA (iShares MSCI India ETF) and XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - INDA is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI India Index, while XLB is a Materials fund tracking the Materials Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, INDA returned 6.73%/yr vs 9.85%/yr for XLB. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. INDA charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLB.

Performance

INDA vs. XLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, INDA achieves a -12.65% return, which is significantly lower than XLB's 10.66% return. Over the past 10 years, INDA has underperformed XLB with an annualized return of 6.73%, while XLB has yielded a comparatively higher 9.85% annualized return.

INDA

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: -5.28%
• YTD: -12.65%
• 6M: -11.06%
• 1Y: -14.02%
• 3Y*: 4.13%
• 5Y*: 2.36%
• 10Y*: 6.73%

XLB

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: -3.16%
• YTD: 10.66%
• 6M: 16.01%
• 1Y: 16.06%
• 3Y*: 10.29%
• 5Y*: 5.04%
• 10Y*: 9.85%

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

INDA vs. XLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
INDA iShares MSCI India ETF	-12.65%	2.68%	8.63%	17.16%	-8.94%	21.36%	14.83%	6.49%	-6.67%	36.08%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	10.66%	9.94%	0.15%	12.46%	-12.30%	27.44%	20.46%	24.13%	-14.88%	24.01%

Correlation

The correlation between INDA and XLB is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2012	0.49

Over the past year, the correlation between INDA and XLB has dropped to 0.27 - well below their long-term average of 0.49, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

INDA vs. XLB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	INDA	XLB
Financial Services	28.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.5%	12.4%
Industrials	10.3%	1.5%
Energy	9.5%	-
Technology	8.3%	-
Basic Materials	8.0%	87.6%
Consumer Defensive	6.2%	-
Healthcare	6.2%	-
Communication Services	4.7%	-
Utilities	4.6%	-
Real Estate	1.4%	-

Return for Risk

INDA vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

INDA

INDA Risk / Return Rank: 2
INDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
INDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
INDA Omega Ratio Rank: 2
INDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
INDA Martin Ratio Rank: 0

XLB

XLB Risk / Return Rank: 29
XLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Omega Ratio Rank: 27
XLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

INDA vs. XLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). 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.

	INDA	XLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.96	0.95	-1.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.34	1.43	-2.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.85	1.17	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.75	1.30	-2.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.78	4.02	-5.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

INDA vs. XLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current INDA Sharpe Ratio is -0.96, which is lower than the XLB Sharpe Ratio of 0.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of INDA and XLB, 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

	INDA	XLB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.96	0.95	-1.91
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15	0.27	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32	0.48	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.35	-0.12

Drawdowns

INDA vs. XLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum INDA drawdown since its inception was -45.07%, smaller than the maximum XLB drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for INDA and XLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	INDA	XLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.07%	-59.83%	+14.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.69%	-12.38%	-6.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.72%	-23.17%	+0.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.72%	-24.72%	+2.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.07%	-37.27%	-7.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.68%	-6.41%	-13.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.58%	-10.84%	+1.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.88%	4.00%	+3.88%

Volatility

INDA vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) have volatilities of 5.11% and 5.32%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	INDA	XLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.11%	5.32%	-0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.75%	13.02%	-0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.72%	16.95%	-2.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.39%	18.96%	-3.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.12%	20.66%	+0.46%

INDA vs. XLB - Expense Ratio Comparison

INDA has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than XLB's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

INDA vs. XLB - Dividend Comparison

INDA has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
INDA iShares MSCI India ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.76%	0.16%	0.00%	6.44%	0.27%	0.99%	0.94%	1.09%	0.90%	1.19%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.75%	1.92%	1.92%	2.00%	2.26%	1.62%	1.72%	1.98%	2.20%	1.66%	1.95%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both INDA and XLB in my portfolio?

INDA and XLB have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, INDA or XLB?

XLB has higher volatility (5.32%) compared to INDA (5.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, INDA dropped -45.07% vs XLB's -59.83%.

Which ETF is better, INDA or XLB?

On 10-year performance, XLB leads with 9.85% vs 6.73% for INDA. On fees, XLB is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, INDA has been the lower-risk option at 5.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, INDA or XLB?

Over the 10-year period, XLB has performed better with a 9.85% return vs 6.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, INDA or XLB?

XLB is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for INDA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, INDA or XLB?

XLB has the higher dividend yield at 1.75%, compared with 0.00% for INDA.

What is the main difference between INDA and XLB?

INDA is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while XLB is Materials. INDA tracks MSCI India Index, while XLB tracks Materials Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for INDA and 0.13% for XLB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.95 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.