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IYF vs. XLF
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IYF vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IYF (iShares U.S. Financials ETF) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Financials Equities funds - IYF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index while XLF tracks the Financial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYF returned 13.53%/yr vs 13.33%/yr for XLF. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IYF charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.

Performance

IYF vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYF achieves a -0.19% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -2.11% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IYF having a 13.53% annualized return and XLF not far behind at 13.33%.

IYF

1D
1.38%
1M
4.53%
YTD
-0.19%
6M
-0.21%
1Y
13.73%
3Y*
21.71%
5Y*
10.87%
10Y*
13.53%

XLF

1D
1.37%
1M
4.00%
YTD
-2.11%
6M
-2.09%
1Y
8.41%
3Y*
18.86%
5Y*
9.15%
10Y*
13.33%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IYF vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IYF
iShares U.S. Financials ETF		-0.19%18.25%31.30%15.32%-11.33%31.60%-1.00%31.86%-9.39%19.58%
XLF
State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF		-2.11%14.90%30.56%12.03%-10.59%34.80%-1.74%31.88%-13.06%22.00%

Correlation

The correlation between IYF and XLF 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

0.98

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

0.97

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2000

0.97

The correlation between IYF and XLF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

IYF vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IYF
XLF

Financial Services

99.1%
98.0%

Real Estate

0.6%

-

Technology

0.3%
1.8%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

0.2%

Utilities

-

-

Financial Services

IYF
99.1%
XLF
98.0%

Real Estate

IYF
0.6%
XLF

-

Technology

IYF
0.3%
XLF
1.8%

Basic Materials

IYF

-

XLF

-

Communication Services

IYF

-

XLF

-

Consumer Cyclical

IYF

-

XLF

-

Consumer Defensive

IYF

-

XLF

-

Energy

IYF

-

XLF

-

Healthcare

IYF

-

XLF

-

Industrials

IYF

-

XLF
0.2%

Utilities

IYF

-

XLF

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares U.S. Financials ETF

State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF

Often compared with IYF:
IYF vs. VFHIYF vs. IYGIYF vs. KBWBIYF vs. IXGIYF vs. KBEIYF vs. FTXOIYF vs. VOO
Often compared with XLF:
XLF vs. SPYXLF vs. VFHXLF vs. KBWBXLF vs. XLVXLF vs. KREXLF vs. KBEXLF vs. JPM

Return for Risk

IYF vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IYF
IYF Risk / Return Rank: 2424
Overall Rank
IYF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2727
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYF Sortino Ratio Rank: 2525
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYF Omega Ratio Rank: 2525
Omega Ratio Rank
IYF Calmar Ratio Rank: 2222
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYF Martin Ratio Rank: 2222
Martin Ratio Rank
XLF
XLF Risk / Return Rank: 1515
Overall Rank
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1717
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 1515
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 1515
Omega Ratio Rank
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 1515
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 1515
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.

IYF vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). 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.

IYFXLFDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.84
0.42

+0.41

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.21
0.67

+0.54

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.15

1.08

+0.07

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.88

0.42

+0.46

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.38

1.08

+1.30

IYF vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYF Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is higher than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYF and XLF, 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

IYF vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYF drawdown since its inception was -79.09%, roughly equal to the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYF and XLF.

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Drawdown Indicators

IYFXLFDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-79.09%

-82.69%

+3.60%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.88%

-14.79%

+0.91%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.60%

-15.54%

-1.06%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.06%

-25.81%

+0.75%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.57%

-42.86%

+0.29%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.25%

-4.94%

+1.69%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-17.59%

-20.01%

+2.42%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.13%

5.76%

-0.63%

Volatility

IYF vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) have volatilities of 4.27% and 4.23%, 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

IYFXLFDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.27%

4.23%

+0.04%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.12%

11.26%

-0.14%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.58%

14.69%

-0.11%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.04%

18.66%

+0.38%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.90%

22.17%

-1.27%

IYF vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYF has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than XLF's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYF vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

IYF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, which matches XLF's 1.49% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IYF
iShares U.S. Financials ETF		1.49%1.32%1.29%1.67%1.86%1.27%1.72%1.64%1.90%1.46%1.67%1.66%
XLF
State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF		1.49%1.31%1.42%1.71%2.04%1.63%2.03%1.87%2.08%1.48%21.10%1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.97, IYF and XLF 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.

IYF has higher volatility (4.27%) compared to XLF (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYF dropped -79.09% vs XLF's -82.69%.

On 10-year performance, IYF leads with 13.53% vs 13.33% for XLF. On fees, XLF is cheaper at 0.08% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IYF has performed better with a 13.53% return vs 13.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

XLF is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IYF.

IYF and XLF have nearly identical dividend yields, around 1.49%.

IYF tracks Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index, while XLF tracks Financial Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYF and 0.08% for XLF.

IYF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.84 vs 0.42), 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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