KBE vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KBE (SPDR S&P Bank ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KBE is a Financials Equities fund tracking the S&P Banks Select Industry Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, KBE returned 9.19%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. KBE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

KBE vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KBE achieves a 2.87% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 3.11% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with KBE having a 9.19% annualized return and XLU not far behind at 9.15%.

KBE

• 1D: -2.28%
• 1M: -1.94%
• YTD: 2.87%
• 6M: 4.27%
• 1Y: 18.75%
• 3Y*: 22.67%
• 5Y*: 5.28%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

XLU

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: -5.74%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 9.11%
• 3Y*: 13.74%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: 9.15%

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

KBE vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KBE SPDR S&P Bank ETF	2.87%	12.36%	23.78%	5.30%	-14.83%	33.46%	-8.75%	29.78%	-19.65%	10.49%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.11%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between KBE and XLU is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2005	0.31

The correlation between KBE and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (1 year) to 0.31 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

KBE vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KBE	XLU
Financial Services	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

KBE vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

KBE

KBE Risk / Return Rank: 25
KBE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
KBE Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
KBE Omega Ratio Rank: 25
KBE Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
KBE Martin Ratio Rank: 25

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 19
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

KBE vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Bank ETF (KBE) 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.

	KBE	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.87	0.63	+0.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.32	0.94	+0.37
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.12	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.29	1.00	+0.29
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.39	2.24	+1.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KBE vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KBE Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KBE 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	KBE	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87	0.63	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19	0.54	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31	0.48	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.10	0.40	-0.30

Drawdowns

KBE vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KBE drawdown since its inception was -83.15%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KBE and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	KBE	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.15%	-51.98%	-31.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.63%	-9.18%	-5.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.97%	-17.26%	-8.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.25%	-25.26%	-19.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.14%	-36.07%	-17.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.38%	-7.78%	+0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.54%	-10.22%	-17.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.55%	4.09%	+1.46%

Volatility

KBE vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Bank ETF (KBE) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) have volatilities of 5.65% and 5.41%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KBE	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.65%	5.41%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.93%	11.53%	+3.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.62%	14.57%	+7.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.36%	17.32%	+10.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.85%	19.26%	+10.59%

KBE vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

KBE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

KBE vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

KBE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.39%, less than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KBE SPDR S&P Bank ETF	2.39%	2.51%	2.35%	2.78%	2.99%	2.16%	2.44%	2.33%	2.18%	1.36%	1.39%	1.70%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.72%	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

Can I hold both KBE and XLU in my portfolio?

KBE and XLU have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KBE or XLU?

KBE has higher volatility (5.65%) compared to XLU (5.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KBE dropped -83.15% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, KBE or XLU?

On 10-year performance, KBE leads with 9.19% vs 9.15% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KBE or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, KBE has performed better with a 9.19% return vs 9.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KBE or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for KBE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KBE or XLU?

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 2.39% for KBE.

What is the main difference between KBE and XLU?

KBE is categorized as Financials Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. KBE tracks S&P Banks Select Industry Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for KBE and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KBE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.87 vs 0.63), 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.