IYZ vs. XTL
IYZ (iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF) and XTL (SPDR S&P Telecom ETF) are both Communications Equities funds - IYZ tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index while XTL tracks the S&P Telecom Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYZ returned 5.30%/yr vs 15.90%/yr for XTL. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYZ charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XTL.
Performance
IYZ vs. XTL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IYZ achieves a 24.39% return, which is significantly lower than XTL's 45.48% return. Over the past 10 years, IYZ has underperformed XTL with an annualized return of 5.30%, while XTL has yielded a comparatively higher 15.90% annualized return.
IYZ
- 1D
- 0.62%
- 1M
- -6.02%
- YTD
- 24.39%
- 6M
- 23.91%
- 1Y
- 51.48%
- 3Y*
- 28.45%
- 5Y*
- 7.11%
- 10Y*
- 5.30%
XTL
- 1D
- 0.71%
- 1M
- -5.01%
- YTD
- 45.48%
- 6M
- 42.07%
- 1Y
- 105.42%
- 3Y*
- 46.16%
- 5Y*
- 17.85%
- 10Y*
- 15.90%
IYZ vs. XTL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 24.39% | 29.28% | 20.53% | 3.90% | -30.29% | 11.69% | 4.13% | 16.14% | -8.59% | -11.86% |
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | 45.48% | 44.95% | 34.89% | -1.17% | -19.18% | 21.58% | 22.46% | 12.51% | -6.60% | 0.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between IYZ and XTL is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.83 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 27, 2011 | 0.77 |
The correlation between IYZ and XTL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IYZ vs. XTL — Risk / Return Rank
IYZ
XTL
IYZ vs. XTL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) and SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL). 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.
| IYZ | XTL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.76 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.31 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.52 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.66 | 7.21 | -1.55 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 21.21 | 28.34 | -7.13 |
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Drawdowns
IYZ vs. XTL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IYZ drawdown since its inception was -77.11%, which is greater than XTL's maximum drawdown of -37.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYZ and XTL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IYZ | XTL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -77.11% | -37.01% | -40.10% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.15% | -14.70% | +5.55% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.85% | -22.79% | +8.94% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -39.74% | -37.01% | -2.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.74% | -37.01% | -2.73% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.58% | -10.30% | +1.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -40.07% | -9.76% | -30.31% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.43% | 3.73% | -1.30% |
Volatility
IYZ vs. XTL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) is 8.28%, while SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) has a volatility of 11.45%. This indicates that IYZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XTL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IYZ | XTL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.28% | 11.45% | -3.17% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.56% | 23.63% | -8.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.80% | 30.23% | -11.43% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.90% | 25.37% | -6.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.31% | 23.69% | -4.38% |
IYZ vs. XTL - Expense Ratio Comparison
IYZ has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than XTL's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
IYZ vs. XTL - Dividend Comparison
IYZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.68%, more than XTL's 1.29% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 1.68% | 2.04% | 1.94% | 2.27% | 2.55% | 2.51% | 2.60% | 2.36% | 2.15% | 3.54% | 2.27% | 1.98% |
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | 1.29% | 1.05% | 0.62% | 0.80% | 0.74% | 1.25% | 0.88% | 0.92% | 1.90% | 2.08% | 1.11% | 1.38% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IYZ and XTL have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XTL has higher volatility (11.45%) compared to IYZ (8.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYZ dropped -77.11% vs XTL's -37.01%.
On 10-year performance, XTL leads with 15.90% vs 5.30% for IYZ. On fees, XTL is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, IYZ has been the lower-risk option at 8.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, XTL has performed better with a 15.90% return vs 5.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XTL is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IYZ.
IYZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.68%, compared with 1.29% for XTL.
IYZ tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index, while XTL tracks S&P Telecom Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYZ and 0.35% for XTL.
XTL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.51 vs 2.76), 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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