PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
IXC vs. XLE
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXC vs. XLE

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

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 10.52%/yr vs 10.52%/yr for XLE. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. 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.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IXC having a 34.71% return and XLE slightly higher at 35.03%. Over a longer period, both investments have demonstrated similar performance, with their 10-year annualized returns being quite close: IXC at 10.52% and XLE at 10.52%.

IXC

1D
0.63%
1M
13.16%
6M
19.17%
YTD
34.71%
1Y
45.16%
3Y*
16.60%
5Y*
22.34%
10Y*
10.52%
ALL TIME*
8.52%

XLE

1D
1.00%
1M
11.89%
6M
18.26%
YTD
35.03%
1Y
43.49%
3Y*
14.62%
5Y*
23.67%
10Y*
10.52%
ALL TIME*
8.87%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

IXC

iShares Global Energy ETF
$40.96M$62.51M$57.88M

XLE

State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF
$1.70B$1.73B$1.97B

IXC vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		34.71%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		35.03%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 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.97

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.97

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.97

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

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

99.5%
100.0%

Utilities

0.2%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Energy

IXC
99.5%
XLE
100.0%

Utilities

IXC
0.2%
XLE

-

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

-

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. VOOIXC 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 historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
IXC
IXC Risk / Return Rank: 8282
Overall Rank
IXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9090
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXC Omega Ratio Rank: 8585
Omega Ratio Rank
IXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXC Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
XLE
XLE Risk / Return Rank: 7676
Overall Rank
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8484
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 7979
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 7676
Omega Ratio Rank
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 7878
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

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
2.22
1.95

+0.27

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.83
2.53

+0.30

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.36

1.32

+0.05

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.83

2.74

+0.09

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.78

7.32

+1.46

IXC vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXC Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. 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.

Loading charts...

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.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

IXCXLEDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-67.88%

-71.26%

+3.38%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-15.36%

-14.98%

-0.38%

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

-3.05%

-4.13%

+1.08%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-17.42%

-17.93%

+0.51%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.95%

5.62%

-0.67%

Volatility

IXC vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) have volatilities of 6.07% and 5.85%, 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.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

IXCXLEDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.07%

5.85%

+0.22%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.03%

16.71%

-0.68%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.61%

21.05%

-1.44%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

23.37%

25.77%

-2.40%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

26.82%

29.57%

-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 2.82%, more than XLE's 2.55% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		2.82%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		2.55%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.

IXC has higher volatility (6.07%) compared to XLE (5.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXC dropped -67.88% vs XLE's -71.26%.

On 10-year performance, XLE leads with 10.52% vs 10.52% for IXC. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLE has been the lower-risk option at 5.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, XLE has performed better with a 10.52% return vs 10.52%. 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.

IXC has the higher dividend yield at 2.82%, compared with 2.55% for XLE.

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 (2.22 vs 1.95), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for IXC and XLE

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer