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IYH vs. XLP
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IYH vs. XLP

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IYH (iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF) and XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index, while XLP is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYH returned 9.52%/yr vs 7.60%/yr for XLP. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYH charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLP.

Performance

IYH vs. XLP - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYH achieves a -0.65% return, which is significantly lower than XLP's 11.10% return. Over the past 10 years, IYH has outperformed XLP with an annualized return of 9.52%, while XLP has yielded a comparatively lower 7.60% annualized return.

IYH

1D
-0.20%
1M
4.45%
YTD
-0.65%
6M
0.07%
1Y
14.13%
3Y*
6.45%
5Y*
4.89%
10Y*
9.52%

XLP

1D
0.65%
1M
1.30%
YTD
11.10%
6M
9.54%
1Y
7.61%
3Y*
8.26%
5Y*
6.65%
10Y*
7.60%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IYH vs. XLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IYH
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF		-0.65%13.16%2.99%2.14%-4.46%23.41%15.56%20.80%5.80%22.27%
XLP
State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF		11.10%1.52%12.20%-0.82%-0.81%17.20%10.11%27.43%-8.07%12.98%

Correlation

The correlation between IYH and XLP is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.35

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

0.48

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

0.56

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

0.54

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2000

0.64

Over the past year, the correlation between IYH and XLP has dropped to 0.35 - well below their long-term average of 0.64, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IYH vs. XLP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IYH
XLP

Healthcare

100.0%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

1.0%

Consumer Defensive

-

99.0%

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

IYH
100.0%
XLP

-

Basic Materials

IYH

-

XLP

-

Communication Services

IYH

-

XLP

-

Consumer Cyclical

IYH

-

XLP
1.0%

Consumer Defensive

IYH

-

XLP
99.0%

Energy

IYH

-

XLP

-

Financial Services

IYH

-

XLP

-

Industrials

IYH

-

XLP

-

Real Estate

IYH

-

XLP

-

Technology

IYH

-

XLP

-

Utilities

IYH

-

XLP

-

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. Healthcare ETF

State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF

Often compared with IYH:
IYH vs. VHTIYH vs. XLVIYH vs. SPYIYH vs. IYEIYH vs. BMEDIYH vs. IFRAIYH vs. IBB
Often compared with XLP:
XLP vs. XLYXLP vs. VDCXLP vs. XLUXLP vs. SPYXLP vs. VOOXLP vs. XLFXLP vs. IYK

Return for Risk

IYH vs. XLP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IYH
IYH Risk / Return Rank: 2929
Overall Rank
IYH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2929
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYH Sortino Ratio Rank: 3131
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYH Omega Ratio Rank: 2828
Omega Ratio Rank
IYH Calmar Ratio Rank: 3131
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYH Martin Ratio Rank: 2727
Martin Ratio Rank
XLP
XLP Risk / Return Rank: 1919
Overall Rank
XLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2020
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 2020
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLP Omega Ratio Rank: 1818
Omega Ratio Rank
XLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 2020
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLP Martin Ratio Rank: 1717
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.

IYH vs. XLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). 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.

IYHXLPDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.94
0.59

+0.35

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.52
0.94

+0.58

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.17

1.11

+0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.33

0.79

+0.54

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.18

1.52

+1.66

IYH vs. XLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYH Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is higher than the XLP Sharpe Ratio of 0.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYH and XLP, 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

IYH vs. XLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYH drawdown since its inception was -43.12%, which is greater than XLP's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYH and XLP.

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Drawdown Indicators

IYHXLPDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-43.12%

-35.90%

-7.22%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.64%

-9.69%

-0.95%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.91%

-12.39%

-5.52%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.91%

-16.30%

-1.61%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-28.40%

-24.51%

-3.89%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.94%

-4.12%

+0.18%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.96%

-7.06%

-1.90%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.46%

5.01%

-0.55%

Volatility

IYH vs. XLP - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) has a higher volatility of 4.94% compared to State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) at 4.53%. This indicates that IYH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IYHXLPDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.94%

4.53%

+0.41%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.64%

10.14%

+0.50%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.10%

12.90%

+2.20%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.96%

13.34%

+1.62%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.74%

14.75%

+1.99%

IYH vs. XLP - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYH has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than XLP's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYH vs. XLP - Dividend Comparison

IYH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, less than XLP's 2.53% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IYH
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF		1.25%1.19%1.25%1.18%1.10%0.94%1.16%1.14%1.95%1.10%1.29%2.02%
XLP
State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF		2.53%2.75%2.77%2.63%2.47%2.28%2.50%2.57%3.04%2.62%2.53%2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

IYH and XLP have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IYH has higher volatility (4.94%) compared to XLP (4.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYH dropped -43.12% vs XLP's -35.90%.

On 10-year performance, IYH leads with 9.52% vs 7.60% for XLP. On fees, XLP is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLP has been the lower-risk option at 4.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IYH has performed better with a 9.52% return vs 7.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

XLP is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for IYH.

XLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 1.25% for IYH.

IYH is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while XLP is Consumer Staples Equities. IYH tracks Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index, while XLP tracks Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for IYH and 0.08% for XLP.

IYH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.94 vs 0.59), 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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