PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
IYT vs. XLF
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IYT vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IYT (iShares Transportation Average ETF) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYT is a Transportation Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Transportation Average Index, while XLF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYT returned 11.08%/yr vs 13.33%/yr for XLF. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYT charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.

Performance

IYT vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYT achieves a 16.53% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -2.11% return. Over the past 10 years, IYT has underperformed XLF with an annualized return of 11.08%, while XLF has yielded a comparatively higher 13.33% annualized return.

IYT

1D
0.45%
1M
7.88%
YTD
16.53%
6M
13.90%
1Y
34.06%
3Y*
14.84%
5Y*
6.47%
10Y*
11.08%

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)

IYT vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IYT
iShares Transportation Average ETF		16.53%11.48%4.10%24.62%-21.74%26.41%14.20%20.11%-12.87%18.89%
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 IYT and XLF is 0.62, 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

0.62

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

0.64

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

0.71

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

0.72

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2003

0.71

The correlation between IYT and XLF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

IYT vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IYT
XLF

Industrials

84.4%
0.2%

Technology

15.6%
1.8%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

98.0%

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Industrials

IYT
84.4%
XLF
0.2%

Technology

IYT
15.6%
XLF
1.8%

Basic Materials

IYT

-

XLF

-

Communication Services

IYT

-

XLF

-

Consumer Cyclical

IYT

-

XLF

-

Consumer Defensive

IYT

-

XLF

-

Energy

IYT

-

XLF

-

Financial Services

IYT

-

XLF
98.0%

Healthcare

IYT

-

XLF

-

Real Estate

IYT

-

XLF

-

Utilities

IYT

-

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 Transportation Average ETF

State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF

Often compared with IYT:
IYT vs. XTNIYT vs. SPYIYT vs. FTXRIYT vs. QQQIYT vs. XLIIYT vs. UNPIYT vs. WBA
Often compared with XLF:
XLF vs. SPYXLF vs. VFHXLF vs. KBWBXLF vs. XLVXLF vs. KREXLF vs. KBEXLF vs. JPM

Return for Risk

IYT vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IYT
IYT Risk / Return Rank: 5353
Overall Rank
IYT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYT Sortino Ratio Rank: 5151
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYT Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
IYT Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYT Martin Ratio Rank: 5656
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.

IYT vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT) 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.

IYTXLFDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.54
0.42

+1.12

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.19
0.67

+1.52

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.08

+0.19

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.63

0.42

+2.21

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.56

1.08

+7.48

IYT vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYT Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is higher than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYT 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.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

IYT vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYT drawdown since its inception was -60.39%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYT and XLF.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

IYTXLFDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-60.39%

-82.69%

+22.30%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.09%

-14.79%

+2.70%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-26.35%

-15.54%

-10.81%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.15%

-25.81%

-3.34%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-41.28%

-42.86%

+1.58%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-4.94%

+4.94%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.30%

-20.01%

+10.71%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.71%

5.76%

-2.05%

Volatility

IYT vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT) has a higher volatility of 6.45% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 4.23%. This indicates that IYT'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.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

IYTXLFDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.45%

4.23%

+2.22%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.94%

11.26%

+4.68%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.61%

14.69%

+5.92%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.38%

18.66%

+3.72%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.18%

22.17%

+1.01%

IYT vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

IYT vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

IYT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than XLF's 1.49% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IYT
iShares Transportation Average ETF		0.93%1.00%1.08%1.26%1.40%0.77%0.93%1.29%1.35%0.92%0.96%1.28%
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

IYT and XLF have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IYT has higher volatility (6.45%) compared to XLF (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYT dropped -60.39% vs XLF's -82.69%.

On 10-year performance, XLF leads with 13.33% vs 11.08% for IYT. On fees, XLF is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLF has been the lower-risk option at 4.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, XLF has performed better with a 13.33% return vs 11.08%. 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 IYT.

XLF has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 0.93% for IYT.

IYT is categorized as Transportation Equities, while XLF is Financials Equities. IYT tracks Dow Jones Transportation Average 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 IYT and 0.08% for XLF.

IYT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for IYT and XLF

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer