IYT vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IYT (iShares Transportation Average ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYT is a Transportation Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Transportation Average Index, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYT returned 10.51%/yr vs 10.08%/yr for XLE. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IYT charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

IYT vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYT achieves a 13.12% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 30.48% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IYT having a 10.51% annualized return and XLE not far behind at 10.08%.

IYT

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 3.94%
• YTD: 13.12%
• 6M: 15.04%
• 1Y: 30.40%
• 3Y*: 14.77%
• 5Y*: 5.55%
• 10Y*: 10.51%

XLE

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: -1.51%
• YTD: 30.48%
• 6M: 30.54%
• 1Y: 44.84%
• 3Y*: 16.95%
• 5Y*: 20.29%
• 10Y*: 10.08%

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

IYT vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IYT iShares Transportation Average ETF	13.12%	11.48%	4.10%	24.62%	-21.74%	26.41%	14.20%	20.11%	-12.87%	18.89%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	30.48%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between IYT and XLE is 0.00, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2003	0.50

Over the past year, the correlation between IYT and XLE has dropped to 0.00 - well below their long-term average of 0.50, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IYT vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IYT	XLE
Industrials	83.3%	-
Technology	16.7%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	100.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IYT vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

IYT

IYT Risk / Return Rank: 44
IYT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
IYT Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
IYT Omega Ratio Rank: 40
IYT Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
IYT Martin Ratio Rank: 48

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 64
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

IYT vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

	IYT	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	2.20	-0.68
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.15	2.83	-0.68
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.35	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	3.88	-1.41
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.00	11.35	-3.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IYT vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYT Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is lower than the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYT and XLE, 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

	IYT	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51	2.20	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.78	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.34	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.31	+0.11

Drawdowns

IYT vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYT drawdown since its inception was -60.39%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYT and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYT	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.39%	-71.26%	+10.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.09%	-12.05%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.35%	-20.14%	-6.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.15%	-26.04%	-3.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.28%	-66.81%	+25.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.00%	-7.35%	+6.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.32%	-17.98%	+8.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.73%	4.12%	-0.39%

Volatility

IYT vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT) is 7.34%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 8.19%. This indicates that IYT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IYT	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.34%	8.19%	-0.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.43%	16.56%	-1.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.17%	20.53%	-0.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.29%	26.01%	-3.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.15%	29.59%	-6.44%

IYT vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYT has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYT vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

IYT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, less than XLE's 2.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IYT iShares Transportation Average ETF	0.95%	1.00%	1.08%	1.26%	1.40%	0.77%	0.93%	1.29%	1.35%	0.92%	0.96%	1.28%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.57%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IYT and XLE in my portfolio?

IYT and XLE have a correlation of 0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IYT or XLE?

XLE has higher volatility (8.19%) compared to IYT (7.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYT dropped -60.39% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, IYT or XLE?

On 10-year performance, IYT leads with 10.51% vs 10.08% for XLE. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, IYT has been the lower-risk option at 7.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IYT or XLE?

Over the 10-year period, IYT has performed better with a 10.51% return vs 10.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IYT or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IYT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IYT or XLE?

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.57%, compared with 0.95% for IYT.

What is the main difference between IYT and XLE?

IYT is categorized as Transportation Equities, while XLE is Energy Equities. IYT tracks Dow Jones Transportation Average Index, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYT and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.51), 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.