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IYT vs. XLU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IYT vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IYT (iShares Transportation Average ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYT is a Transportation Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Transportation Average Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYT returned 11.08%/yr vs 9.20%/yr for XLU. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IYT charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

IYT vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYT achieves a 16.53% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 5.04% return. Over the past 10 years, IYT has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 11.08%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.20% 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%

XLU

1D
1.09%
1M
-0.82%
YTD
5.04%
6M
5.48%
1Y
12.50%
3Y*
13.79%
5Y*
9.41%
10Y*
9.20%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IYT vs. XLU - 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%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		5.04%16.03%23.31%-7.18%1.44%17.70%0.51%25.93%3.94%12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between IYT and XLU is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.21

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

0.27

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

0.34

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

0.28

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

0.39

The correlation between IYT and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (1 year) to 0.39 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IYT vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IYT
XLU

Industrials

84.4%

-

Technology

15.6%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

100.0%

Industrials

IYT
84.4%
XLU

-

Technology

IYT
15.6%
XLU

-

Basic Materials

IYT

-

XLU

-

Communication Services

IYT

-

XLU

-

Consumer Cyclical

IYT

-

XLU

-

Consumer Defensive

IYT

-

XLU

-

Energy

IYT

-

XLU

-

Financial Services

IYT

-

XLU

-

Healthcare

IYT

-

XLU

-

Real Estate

IYT

-

XLU

-

Utilities

IYT

-

XLU
100.0%

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 Utilities 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 XLU:
XLU vs. VPUXLU vs. XLEXLU vs. XLPXLU vs. SPYXLU vs. FUTYXLU vs. UTESXLU vs. IDU

Return for Risk

IYT vs. XLU — 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
XLU
XLU Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2626
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 2424
Omega Ratio Rank
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 3030
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 2424
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. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

IYTXLUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.54
0.81

+0.73

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.19
1.18

+1.01

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.15

+0.12

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.63

1.30

+1.34

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.56

2.80

+5.76

IYT vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYT Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYT and XLU, 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

IYT vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYT drawdown since its inception was -60.39%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYT and XLU.

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Drawdown Indicators

IYTXLUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-60.39%

-51.98%

-8.41%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.09%

-9.18%

-2.91%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-26.35%

-17.26%

-9.09%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.15%

-25.26%

-3.89%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-41.28%

-36.07%

-5.21%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-6.05%

+6.05%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.30%

-10.22%

+0.92%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.71%

4.25%

-0.54%

Volatility

IYT vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT) has a higher volatility of 6.45% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.59%. This indicates that IYT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IYTXLUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.45%

5.59%

+0.86%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.94%

11.68%

+4.26%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.61%

14.66%

+5.95%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.38%

17.34%

+5.04%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.18%

19.27%

+3.91%

IYT vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

IYT vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

IYT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than XLU's 2.67% 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%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		2.67%2.71%2.96%3.39%2.92%2.79%3.14%2.95%3.33%3.33%3.41%3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

IYT and XLU have a correlation of 0.21, 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 XLU (5.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYT dropped -60.39% vs XLU's -51.98%.

On 10-year performance, IYT leads with 11.08% vs 9.20% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IYT has performed better with a 11.08% return vs 9.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 0.93% for IYT.

IYT is categorized as Transportation Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. IYT tracks Dow Jones Transportation Average Index, while XLU tracks Utilities 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 XLU.

IYT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 0.81), 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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