IPAY vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IPAY (ETFMG Prime Mobile Payments ETF) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IPAY is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Prime Mobile Payments Index, while XLF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IPAY returned 6.77%/yr vs 13.72%/yr for XLF. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IPAY charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.

Performance

IPAY vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETFMG Prime Mobile Payments ETF (IPAY) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IPAY achieves a -16.12% return, which is significantly lower than XLF's -0.77% return. Over the past 10 years, IPAY has underperformed XLF with an annualized return of 6.77%, while XLF has yielded a comparatively higher 13.72% annualized return.

IPAY

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: -3.52%
• YTD: -16.12%
• 6M: -17.27%
• 1Y: -23.67%
• 3Y*: 2.21%
• 5Y*: -9.21%
• 10Y*: 6.77%

XLF

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 4.10%
• YTD: -0.77%
• 6M: -1.95%
• 1Y: 7.67%
• 3Y*: 19.94%
• 5Y*: 10.00%
• 10Y*: 13.72%

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

IPAY vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IPAY ETFMG Prime Mobile Payments ETF	-16.12%	-9.55%	25.88%	18.21%	-32.38%	-12.72%	34.22%	41.80%	0.17%	36.34%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-0.77%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%

Correlation

The correlation between IPAY and XLF is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2015	0.67

The correlation between IPAY and XLF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

IPAY vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IPAY	XLF
Technology	53.9%	1.8%
Financial Services	41.8%	98.0%
Industrials	4.3%	0.2%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IPAY vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

IPAY

IPAY Risk / Return Rank: 2
IPAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
IPAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
IPAY Omega Ratio Rank: 2
IPAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
IPAY Martin Ratio Rank: 2

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 15
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 16
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

IPAY vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETFMG Prime Mobile Payments ETF (IPAY) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). 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.

	IPAY	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.00	0.53	-1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.28	0.81	-2.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.84	1.10	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.76	0.52	-1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.36	1.33	-2.68

IPAY vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IPAY Sharpe Ratio is -1.00, which is lower than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IPAY and XLF, 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

IPAY vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IPAY drawdown since its inception was -51.75%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IPAY and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IPAY	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.75%	-82.69%	+30.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.31%	-14.79%	-16.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.74%	-15.54%	-17.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-51.49%	-25.81%	-25.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.75%	-42.86%	-8.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-39.27%	-3.64%	-35.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.77%	-19.99%	+3.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.46%	5.79%	+11.67%

Volatility

IPAY vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

ETFMG Prime Mobile Payments ETF (IPAY) has a higher volatility of 7.88% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 4.12%. This indicates that IPAY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IPAY	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.88%	4.12%	+3.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.78%	11.27%	+7.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.92%	14.62%	+9.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.15%	18.58%	+7.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.39%	22.11%	+3.28%

IPAY vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IPAY has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than XLF's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

IPAY vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

IPAY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than XLF's 1.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IPAY ETFMG Prime Mobile Payments ETF	0.94%	0.79%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.50%	1.31%	1.42%	1.71%	2.04%	1.63%	2.03%	1.87%	2.08%	1.48%	21.10%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IPAY and XLF in my portfolio?

IPAY and XLF have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IPAY or XLF?

IPAY has higher volatility (7.88%) compared to XLF (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IPAY dropped -51.75% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which ETF is better, IPAY or XLF?

On 10-year performance, XLF leads with 13.72% vs 6.77% for IPAY. On fees, XLF is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLF has been the lower-risk option at 4.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IPAY or XLF?

Over the 10-year period, XLF has performed better with a 13.72% return vs 6.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IPAY or XLF?

XLF is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for IPAY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IPAY or XLF?

XLF has the higher dividend yield at 1.50%, compared with 0.94% for IPAY.

What is the main difference between IPAY and XLF?

IPAY is categorized as Technology Equities, while XLF is Financials Equities. IPAY tracks Prime Mobile Payments Index, while XLF tracks Financial Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: ETFMG and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for IPAY and 0.08% for XLF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.53 vs -1.00), 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.