KCE vs. IYF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KCE (SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF) and IYF (iShares U.S. Financials ETF) are both Financials Equities funds - KCE tracks the S&P Capital Markets Select Industry Index while IYF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, KCE returned 16.37%/yr vs 12.56%/yr for IYF. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. KCE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for IYF.

Performance

KCE vs. IYF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF (KCE) and iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KCE achieves a -1.07% return, which is significantly higher than IYF's -5.20% return. Over the past 10 years, KCE has outperformed IYF with an annualized return of 16.37%, while IYF has yielded a comparatively lower 12.56% annualized return.

KCE

• 1D: -1.85%
• 1M: -2.01%
• YTD: -1.07%
• 6M: 1.30%
• 1Y: 10.93%
• 3Y*: 23.82%
• 5Y*: 11.80%
• 10Y*: 16.37%

IYF

• 1D: -1.13%
• 1M: -1.00%
• YTD: -5.20%
• 6M: -3.00%
• 1Y: 5.96%
• 3Y*: 20.58%
• 5Y*: 9.52%
• 10Y*: 12.56%

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

KCE vs. IYF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KCE SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF	-1.07%	10.76%	37.51%	32.04%	-22.14%	40.05%	30.82%	27.13%	-15.63%	32.01%
IYF iShares U.S. Financials ETF	-5.20%	18.25%	31.30%	15.32%	-11.33%	31.60%	-1.00%	31.86%	-9.39%	19.58%

Correlation

The correlation between KCE and IYF is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2005	0.88

The correlation between KCE and IYF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

KCE vs. IYF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KCE	IYF
Financial Services	98.5%	99.0%
Technology	1.5%	0.3%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	0.7%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

KCE vs. IYF — Risk / Return Rank

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

KCE

KCE Risk / Return Rank: 17
KCE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
KCE Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
KCE Omega Ratio Rank: 17
KCE Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
KCE Martin Ratio Rank: 17

IYF

IYF Risk / Return Rank: 14
IYF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
IYF Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
IYF Omega Ratio Rank: 14
IYF Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
IYF Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

KCE vs. IYF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF (KCE) and iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF). 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.

	KCE	IYF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.56	0.42	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.87	0.65	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.08	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.63	0.43	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.65	1.18	+0.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KCE vs. IYF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KCE Sharpe Ratio is 0.56, which is higher than the IYF Sharpe Ratio of 0.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KCE and IYF, 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

	KCE	IYF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56	0.42	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.50	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	0.60	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.22	+0.03

Drawdowns

KCE vs. IYF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KCE drawdown since its inception was -74.00%, smaller than the maximum IYF drawdown of -79.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KCE and IYF.

Drawdown Indicators

	KCE	IYF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.00%	-79.09%	+5.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.44%	-13.88%	-3.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.31%	-16.60%	-9.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.45%	-25.06%	-9.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.78%	-42.57%	+1.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.15%	-8.10%	-0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.81%	-17.61%	-5.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.63%	5.06%	+1.57%

Volatility

KCE vs. IYF - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF (KCE) has a higher volatility of 4.24% compared to iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF) at 3.41%. This indicates that KCE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IYF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KCE	IYF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.24%	3.41%	+0.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.98%	10.80%	+4.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.69%	14.34%	+5.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.01%	19.00%	+4.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.10%	20.89%	+2.21%

KCE vs. IYF - Expense Ratio Comparison

KCE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than IYF's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

KCE vs. IYF - Dividend Comparison

KCE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%, more than IYF's 1.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IYF iShares U.S. Financials ETF	1.57%	1.32%	1.29%	1.67%	1.86%	1.27%	1.72%	1.64%	1.90%	1.46%	1.67%	1.66%
KCE SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF	1.75%	1.63%	1.56%	1.82%	2.42%	1.53%	2.20%	2.32%	2.67%	1.95%	2.30%	2.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KCE and IYF in my portfolio?

KCE and IYF have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KCE or IYF?

KCE has higher volatility (4.24%) compared to IYF (3.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KCE dropped -74.00% vs IYF's -79.09%.

Which ETF is better, KCE or IYF?

On 10-year performance, KCE leads with 16.37% vs 12.56% for IYF. On fees, KCE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, IYF has been the lower-risk option at 3.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KCE or IYF?

Over the 10-year period, KCE has performed better with a 16.37% return vs 12.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KCE or IYF?

KCE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IYF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KCE or IYF?

KCE has the higher dividend yield at 1.75%, compared with 1.57% for IYF.

What is the main difference between KCE and IYF?

KCE tracks S&P Capital Markets Select Industry Index, while IYF tracks Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for KCE and 0.42% for IYF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KCE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.56 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.