IXC vs. XME
IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) and XME (SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXC is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while XME is a Materials fund tracking the S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXC returned 10.05%/yr vs 19.60%/yr for XME. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IXC charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XME.
Performance
IXC vs. XME - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IXC achieves a 29.17% return, which is significantly higher than XME's 16.32% return. Over the past 10 years, IXC has underperformed XME with an annualized return of 10.05%, while XME has yielded a comparatively higher 19.60% annualized return.
IXC
- 1D
- 0.28%
- 1M
- -3.42%
- YTD
- 29.17%
- 6M
- 28.84%
- 1Y
- 36.66%
- 3Y*
- 17.43%
- 5Y*
- 19.14%
- 10Y*
- 10.05%
XME
- 1D
- 1.77%
- 1M
- 4.20%
- YTD
- 16.32%
- 6M
- 18.13%
- 1Y
- 85.07%
- 3Y*
- 35.23%
- 5Y*
- 21.78%
- 10Y*
- 19.60%
IXC vs. XME - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 29.17% | 13.98% | 1.95% | 3.92% | 48.51% | 40.88% | -31.00% | 12.67% | -14.85% | 5.54% |
XME SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF | 16.32% | 83.47% | -4.54% | 21.51% | 13.13% | 34.92% | 15.95% | 14.69% | -26.78% | 21.17% |
Correlation
The correlation between IXC and XME is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2006 | 0.67 |
Over the past year, the correlation between IXC and XME has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.67, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
IXC vs. XME - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
IXC
XME
Energy
Basic Materials
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
-
Consumer Defensive
-
Financial Services
-
-
Healthcare
-
-
Industrials
-
Real Estate
-
-
Technology
-
Utilities
-
-
Energy
IXC
XME
Basic Materials
IXC
-
XME
Communication Services
IXC
-
XME
-
Consumer Cyclical
IXC
-
XME
-
Consumer Defensive
IXC
-
XME
Financial Services
IXC
-
XME
-
Healthcare
IXC
-
XME
-
Industrials
IXC
-
XME
Real Estate
IXC
-
XME
-
Technology
IXC
-
XME
Utilities
IXC
-
XME
-
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Return for Risk
IXC vs. XME — Risk / Return Rank
IXC
XME
IXC vs. XME - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) and SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME). 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.
| IXC | XME | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.32 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.37 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.05 | 3.84 | +0.20 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.55 | 9.58 | +1.97 |
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Drawdowns
IXC vs. XME - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IXC drawdown since its inception was -67.88%, smaller than the maximum XME drawdown of -85.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXC and XME.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IXC | XME | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -67.88% | -85.89% | +18.01% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.66% | -22.60% | +12.94% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.06% | -30.47% | +11.41% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.93% | -37.27% | +12.34% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -64.16% | -61.69% | -2.47% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.04% | -9.33% | +2.29% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.47% | -44.09% | +26.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.38% | 9.05% | -5.67% |
Volatility
IXC vs. XME - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) is 6.44%, while SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) has a volatility of 15.26%. This indicates that IXC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XME based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IXC | XME | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.44% | 15.26% | -8.82% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.63% | 28.51% | -12.88% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.79% | 36.11% | -17.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.53% | 32.84% | -9.31% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.84% | 32.96% | -6.12% |
IXC vs. XME - Expense Ratio Comparison
IXC has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than XME's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
IXC vs. XME - Dividend Comparison
IXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.85%, more than XME's 0.32% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 2.85% | 3.68% | 4.56% | 3.45% | 4.76% | 3.98% | 4.86% | 7.00% | 3.51% | 3.05% | 2.86% | 3.77% |
XME SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF | 0.32% | 0.38% | 0.65% | 1.00% | 1.64% | 0.70% | 0.99% | 2.43% | 2.23% | 1.15% | 1.02% | 2.61% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IXC and XME have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XME has higher volatility (15.26%) compared to IXC (6.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXC dropped -67.88% vs XME's -85.89%.
On 10-year performance, XME leads with 19.60% vs 10.05% for IXC. On fees, XME is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, IXC has been the lower-risk option at 6.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, XME has performed better with a 19.60% return vs 10.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XME is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for IXC.
IXC has the higher dividend yield at 2.85%, compared with 0.32% for XME.
IXC is categorized as Energy Equities, while XME is Materials. IXC tracks S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while XME tracks S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for IXC and 0.35% for XME.
XME currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 2.08), 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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