IYJ vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IYJ (iShares U.S. Industrials ETF) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYJ is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Industrials Index, while XLF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYJ returned 12.31%/yr vs 12.38%/yr for XLF. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYJ charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.

Performance

IYJ vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYJ achieves a 5.81% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -6.64% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IYJ having a 12.31% annualized return and XLF not far ahead at 12.38%.

IYJ

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 5.81%
• 6M: 7.55%
• 1Y: 12.86%
• 3Y*: 16.95%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: 12.31%

XLF

• 1D: -1.15%
• 1M: -1.38%
• YTD: -6.64%
• 6M: -4.18%
• 1Y: 1.13%
• 3Y*: 17.64%
• 5Y*: 7.61%
• 10Y*: 12.38%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IYJ vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IYJ iShares U.S. Industrials ETF	5.81%	11.94%	17.82%	19.94%	-13.53%	17.02%	17.37%	32.27%	-11.69%	23.98%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-6.64%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%

Correlation

The correlation between IYJ and XLF is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2000	0.78

The correlation between IYJ and XLF shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.82 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IYJ vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IYJ	XLF
Industrials	66.6%	0.2%
Financial Services	17.0%	98.0%
Technology	6.6%	1.8%
Basic Materials	4.0%	-
Utilities	3.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.7%	-
Healthcare	0.4%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

IYJ vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IYJ

IYJ Risk / Return Rank: 25
IYJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
IYJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
IYJ Omega Ratio Rank: 22
IYJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
IYJ Martin Ratio Rank: 28

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 9
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

IYJ vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Industrials ETF (IYJ) 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.

	IYJ	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.86	0.08	+0.78
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.32	0.20	+1.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.02	+0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.13	0.08	+1.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.10	0.20	+3.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IYJ vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYJ Sharpe Ratio is 0.86, which is higher than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYJ 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IYJ	XLF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86	0.08	+0.78
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.41	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	0.56	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.20	+0.17

Drawdowns

IYJ vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYJ drawdown since its inception was -61.97%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYJ and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYJ	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.97%	-82.69%	+20.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.39%	-14.79%	+3.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.67%	-15.54%	-4.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.24%	-25.81%	-0.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.20%	-42.86%	+2.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.24%	-9.34%	+6.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.21%	-20.03%	+8.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	5.66%	-2.52%

Volatility

IYJ vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Industrials ETF (IYJ) has a higher volatility of 4.05% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 3.29%. This indicates that IYJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IYJ	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.05%	3.29%	+0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.88%	10.94%	+0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.05%	14.41%	+0.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.04%	18.63%	-0.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.87%	22.16%	-2.29%

IYJ vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYJ has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than XLF's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYJ vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

IYJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%, less than XLF's 1.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IYJ iShares U.S. Industrials ETF	0.78%	0.83%	0.88%	1.05%	1.05%	0.76%	1.01%	1.32%	1.43%	1.29%	1.38%	1.53%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.56%	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

Can I hold both IYJ and XLF in my portfolio?

IYJ and XLF have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IYJ or XLF?

IYJ has higher volatility (4.05%) compared to XLF (3.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYJ dropped -61.97% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which ETF is better, IYJ or XLF?

On 10-year performance, XLF leads with 12.38% vs 12.31% for IYJ. On fees, XLF is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLF has been the lower-risk option at 3.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IYJ or XLF?

Over the 10-year period, XLF has performed better with a 12.38% return vs 12.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IYJ or XLF?

XLF is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for IYJ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IYJ or XLF?

XLF has the higher dividend yield at 1.56%, compared with 0.78% for IYJ.

What is the main difference between IYJ and XLF?

IYJ is categorized as Industrials Equities, while XLF is Financials Equities. IYJ tracks Dow Jones U.S. Industrials Index, while XLF tracks Financial Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for IYJ and 0.08% for XLF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IYJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.86 vs 0.08), 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.