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IXJ vs. XLU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXJ vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IXJ (iShares Global Healthcare ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXJ is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXJ returned 8.43%/yr vs 9.20%/yr for XLU. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IXJ charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

IXJ vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXJ achieves a -1.18% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 5.04% return. Over the past 10 years, IXJ has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 8.43%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.20% annualized return.

IXJ

1D
-0.24%
1M
3.58%
YTD
-1.18%
6M
-0.09%
1Y
11.25%
3Y*
5.65%
5Y*
4.37%
10Y*
8.43%

XLU

1D
1.09%
1M
1.50%
YTD
5.04%
6M
5.48%
1Y
12.50%
3Y*
13.79%
5Y*
9.41%
10Y*
9.20%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IXJ vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IXJ
iShares Global Healthcare ETF		-1.18%14.99%0.55%3.62%-4.94%19.60%12.74%23.23%2.83%20.44%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		5.04%16.03%23.31%-7.18%1.44%17.70%0.51%25.93%3.94%12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between IXJ and XLU 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

0.38

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

0.46

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

0.41

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 26, 2001

0.46

The correlation between IXJ and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (1 year) to 0.46 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IXJ vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IXJ
XLU

Healthcare

98.9%

-

Consumer Defensive

0.5%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

100.0%

Healthcare

IXJ
98.9%
XLU

-

Consumer Defensive

IXJ
0.5%
XLU

-

Basic Materials

IXJ

-

XLU

-

Communication Services

IXJ

-

XLU

-

Consumer Cyclical

IXJ

-

XLU

-

Energy

IXJ

-

XLU

-

Financial Services

IXJ

-

XLU

-

Industrials

IXJ

-

XLU

-

Real Estate

IXJ

-

XLU

-

Technology

IXJ

-

XLU

-

Utilities

IXJ

-

XLU
100.0%

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 Healthcare ETF

State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF

Often compared with IXJ:
IXJ vs. XLVIXJ vs. VHTIXJ vs. IHIIXJ vs. XDWH.LIXJ vs. FHLCIXJ vs. IVVIXJ vs. HLTH.L
Often compared with XLU:
XLU vs. VPUXLU vs. XLEXLU vs. XLPXLU vs. SPYXLU vs. FUTYXLU vs. UTESXLU vs. IDU

Return for Risk

IXJ vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IXJ
IXJ Risk / Return Rank: 2222
Overall Rank
IXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2222
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 2323
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 2121
Omega Ratio Rank
IXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 2323
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 2121
Martin Ratio Rank
XLU
XLU Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2626
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 2424
Omega Ratio Rank
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 3030
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 2424
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.

IXJ vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.

IXJXLUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.69
0.81

-0.13

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.14
1.18

-0.04

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.13

1.15

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.95

1.30

-0.35

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.29

2.80

-0.51

IXJ vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXJ Sharpe Ratio is 0.69, which is comparable to the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXJ and XLU, 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

IXJ vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXJ drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXJ and XLU.

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Drawdown Indicators

IXJXLUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-40.60%

-51.98%

+11.38%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.78%

-9.18%

-1.60%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.14%

-17.26%

-0.88%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-18.14%

-25.26%

+7.12%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-27.35%

-36.07%

+8.72%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.37%

-6.05%

+0.68%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.92%

-10.22%

+3.30%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.52%

4.25%

+0.27%

Volatility

IXJ vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) is 4.81%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.59%. This indicates that IXJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IXJXLUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.81%

5.59%

-0.78%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.46%

11.68%

-1.22%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.92%

14.66%

+0.26%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.26%

17.34%

-3.08%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.70%

19.27%

-3.57%

IXJ vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXJ has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXJ vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

IXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, less than XLU's 2.67% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IXJ
iShares Global Healthcare ETF		1.41%1.40%1.50%1.38%1.17%1.12%1.27%1.42%2.11%1.46%1.73%2.85%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		2.67%2.71%2.96%3.39%2.92%2.79%3.14%2.95%3.33%3.33%3.41%3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

IXJ and XLU 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.

XLU has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to IXJ (4.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXJ dropped -40.60% vs XLU's -51.98%.

On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 9.20% vs 8.43% for IXJ. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, IXJ has been the lower-risk option at 4.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, XLU has performed better with a 9.20% return vs 8.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for IXJ.

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 1.41% for IXJ.

IXJ is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. IXJ tracks S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IXJ and 0.08% for XLU.

XLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.81 vs 0.69), 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

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