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IXC vs. XLE
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXC vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - IXC tracks the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index while XLE tracks the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXC returned 9.33%/yr vs 9.29%/yr for XLE. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IXC charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

IXC vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IXC having a 21.76% return and XLE slightly higher at 22.58%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IXC having a 9.33% annualized return and XLE not far behind at 9.29%.

IXC

1D
1.08%
1M
-9.08%
YTD
21.76%
6M
23.49%
1Y
28.26%
3Y*
16.21%
5Y*
17.91%
10Y*
9.33%

XLE

1D
1.26%
1M
-8.47%
YTD
22.58%
6M
23.97%
1Y
26.32%
3Y*
15.44%
5Y*
18.90%
10Y*
9.29%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IXC vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		21.76%13.98%1.95%3.92%48.51%40.88%-31.00%12.67%-14.85%5.54%
XLE
State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF		22.58%7.88%5.56%-0.63%64.32%53.28%-32.67%11.74%-18.22%-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between IXC and XLE is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

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

0.97

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

0.97

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

0.97

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

0.97

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2001

0.93

The correlation between IXC and XLE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

IXC vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IXC
XLE

Energy

100.0%
100.0%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Energy

IXC
100.0%
XLE
100.0%

Basic Materials

IXC

-

XLE

-

Communication Services

IXC

-

XLE

-

Consumer Cyclical

IXC

-

XLE

-

Consumer Defensive

IXC

-

XLE

-

Financial Services

IXC

-

XLE

-

Healthcare

IXC

-

XLE

-

Industrials

IXC

-

XLE

-

Real Estate

IXC

-

XLE

-

Technology

IXC

-

XLE

-

Utilities

IXC

-

XLE

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Global Energy ETF

State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF

Often compared with IXC:
IXC vs. VDEIXC vs. IYEIXC vs. OIHIXC vs. IUES.LIXC vs. DDMIXC vs. XDW0.DEIXC vs. PXE
Often compared with XLE:
XLE vs. VDEXLE vs. USOXLE vs. XOPXLE vs. XLUXLE vs. XLKXLE vs. FENYXLE vs. OIH

Return for Risk

IXC vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IXC
IXC Risk / Return Rank: 4343
Overall Rank
IXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4343
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 4040
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXC Omega Ratio Rank: 3939
Omega Ratio Rank
IXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 4444
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXC Martin Ratio Rank: 4747
Martin Ratio Rank
XLE
XLE Risk / Return Rank: 3636
Overall Rank
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3636
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 3434
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 3232
Omega Ratio Rank
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 3939
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 3838
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.

IXC vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

IXCXLEDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.48
1.26

+0.22

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.99
1.75

+0.24

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.25

1.21

+0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.13

1.88

+0.25

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.61

5.70

+1.91

IXC vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXC Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXC and XLE, 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

IXC vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXC drawdown since its inception was -67.88%, roughly equal to the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXC and XLE.

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Drawdown Indicators

IXCXLEDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-67.88%

-71.26%

+3.38%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.31%

-14.05%

+0.74%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.06%

-20.14%

+1.08%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.93%

-26.04%

+1.11%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-64.16%

-66.81%

+2.65%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-12.37%

-12.96%

+0.59%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-17.46%

-17.97%

+0.51%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.76%

4.66%

-0.90%

Volatility

IXC vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) is 6.48%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 7.06%. This indicates that IXC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IXCXLEDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.48%

7.06%

-0.58%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.81%

16.89%

-1.08%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.19%

20.96%

-1.77%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

23.48%

25.98%

-2.50%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

26.87%

29.62%

-2.75%

IXC vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXC has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXC vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

IXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.12%, less than XLE's 3.47% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		3.12%3.68%4.56%3.45%4.76%3.98%4.86%7.00%3.51%3.05%2.86%3.77%
XLE
State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF		3.47%3.28%3.36%3.55%3.68%4.21%5.62%6.72%3.54%3.03%2.26%3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.97, IXC and XLE move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

XLE has higher volatility (7.06%) compared to IXC (6.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXC dropped -67.88% vs XLE's -71.26%.

On 10-year performance, IXC leads with 9.33% vs 9.29% for XLE. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, IXC has been the lower-risk option at 6.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IXC has performed better with a 9.33% return vs 9.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for IXC.

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 3.47%, compared with 3.12% for IXC.

IXC tracks S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for IXC and 0.08% for XLE.

IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.26), 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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