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IXP vs. XLC
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXP vs. XLC

Last updated Jun 19, 2026

IXP (iShares Global Comm Services ETF) and XLC (Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - IXP is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Communication Services 4.5/22.5/45 Capped, while XLC is a Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IXP returned 8.47%/yr vs 7.94%/yr for XLC. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IXP charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLC.

Performance

IXP vs. XLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Comm Services ETF (IXP) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXP achieves a -2.50% return, which is significantly higher than XLC's -6.73% return.

IXP

1D
0.76%
1M
-4.03%
YTD
-2.50%
6M
-1.15%
1Y
12.86%
3Y*
21.77%
5Y*
8.47%
10Y*
9.02%

XLC

1D
0.23%
1M
-5.73%
YTD
-6.73%
6M
-5.46%
1Y
7.09%
3Y*
20.43%
5Y*
7.94%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IXP vs. XLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
IXP
iShares Global Comm Services ETF		-2.50%29.27%31.33%38.80%-33.40%12.77%22.16%25.23%-5.47%
XLC
Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund		-6.73%23.08%34.71%52.82%-37.63%15.96%26.90%31.05%-16.45%

Correlation

The correlation between IXP and XLC is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

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

0.86

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

0.92

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

0.94

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2018

0.93

The correlation between IXP and XLC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

IXP vs. XLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IXP
XLC

Communication Services

99.3%
95.1%

Technology

2.0%
4.7%

Real Estate

0.5%

-

Consumer Cyclical

0.2%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Communication Services

IXP
99.3%
XLC
95.1%

Technology

IXP
2.0%
XLC
4.7%

Real Estate

IXP
0.5%
XLC

-

Consumer Cyclical

IXP
0.2%
XLC

-

Basic Materials

IXP

-

XLC

-

Consumer Defensive

IXP

-

XLC

-

Energy

IXP

-

XLC

-

Financial Services

IXP

-

XLC

-

Healthcare

IXP

-

XLC

-

Industrials

IXP

-

XLC

-

Utilities

IXP

-

XLC

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares Global Comm Services ETF

Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund

Often compared with IXP:
IXP vs. FCOMIXP vs. IYZIXP vs. VOOIXP vs. QQQIXP vs. IYWIXP vs. VTIIXP vs. RSPN
Often compared with XLC:
XLC vs. VOXXLC vs. SPYXLC vs. FCOMXLC vs. XLFXLC vs. XTLXLC vs. VOOXLC vs. GXLC.L

Return for Risk

IXP vs. XLC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IXP
IXP Risk / Return Rank: 2525
Overall Rank
IXP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2525
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXP Sortino Ratio Rank: 2626
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXP Omega Ratio Rank: 2424
Omega Ratio Rank
IXP Calmar Ratio Rank: 2323
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXP Martin Ratio Rank: 2727
Martin Ratio Rank
XLC
XLC Risk / Return Rank: 1717
Overall Rank
XLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1717
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 1616
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLC Omega Ratio Rank: 1515
Omega Ratio Rank
XLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 1717
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLC Martin Ratio Rank: 1919
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.

IXP vs. XLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Comm Services ETF (IXP) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). 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.

IXPXLCDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.87
0.53

+0.34

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.39
0.84

+0.55

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.16

1.10

+0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.05

0.67

+0.38

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.47

2.05

+1.41

IXP vs. XLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXP Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is higher than the XLC Sharpe Ratio of 0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXP and XLC, 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

IXP vs. XLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXP drawdown since its inception was -50.11%, which is greater than XLC's maximum drawdown of -46.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXP and XLC.

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Drawdown Indicators

IXPXLCDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.11%

-46.65%

-3.46%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.26%

-10.57%

-1.69%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.54%

-17.97%

+0.43%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-44.30%

-46.65%

+2.35%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.30%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-6.57%

-8.56%

+1.99%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.90%

-10.57%

-1.33%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.72%

3.46%

+0.26%

Volatility

IXP vs. XLC - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Comm Services ETF (IXP) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) have volatilities of 4.23% and 4.27%, 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.

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Volatility by Period

IXPXLCDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.23%

4.27%

-0.04%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.03%

10.06%

+0.97%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.84%

13.38%

+1.46%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.05%

20.71%

-1.66%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.54%

22.17%

-3.63%

IXP vs. XLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXP has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than XLC's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXP vs. XLC - Dividend Comparison

IXP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.35%, more than XLC's 1.28% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IXP
iShares Global Comm Services ETF		3.35%2.98%1.35%1.24%0.62%1.80%0.95%2.18%4.32%3.41%4.02%3.89%
XLC
Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund		1.28%1.13%0.99%0.82%1.10%0.74%0.68%0.82%0.64%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

IXP and XLC have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

XLC has higher volatility (4.27%) compared to IXP (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXP dropped -50.11% vs XLC's -46.65%.

On 5-year performance, IXP leads with 8.47% vs 7.94% for XLC. On fees, XLC is cheaper at 0.13% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, IXP has performed better with a 8.47% return vs 7.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

XLC is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for IXP.

IXP has the higher dividend yield at 3.35%, compared with 1.28% for XLC.

IXP is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while XLC is Communications Equities. IXP tracks S&P Global 1200 Communication Services 4.5/22.5/45 Capped, while XLC tracks S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for IXP and 0.13% for XLC.

IXP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.87 vs 0.53), 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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