KCE vs. XLF

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

KCE (SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Financials Equities funds from State Street - KCE tracks the S&P Capital Markets Select Industry Index while XLF tracks the Financial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, KCE returned 17.91%/yr vs 13.69%/yr for XLF. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. KCE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.

Performance

KCE vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KCE achieves a 7.80% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's 4.86% return. Over the past 10 years, KCE has outperformed XLF with an annualized return of 17.91%, while XLF has yielded a comparatively lower 13.69% annualized return.

KCE

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 4.36%
• 6M: 3.69%
• YTD: 7.80%
• 1Y: 8.96%
• 3Y*: 22.76%
• 5Y*: 13.13%
• 10Y*: 17.91%
• ALL TIME*: 7.64%

XLF

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 2.37%
• 6M: 7.47%
• YTD: 4.86%
• 1Y: 12.50%
• 3Y*: 19.11%
• 5Y*: 11.20%
• 10Y*: 13.69%
• ALL TIME*: 6.09%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
KCE SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF	$2.68M	$2.28M	$2.42M
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	$1.84B	$1.93B	$1.92B

KCE vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KCE SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF	7.80%	10.76%	37.51%	32.04%	-22.14%	40.05%	30.82%	27.13%	-15.63%	32.01%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	4.86%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%

Correlation

The correlation between KCE and XLF is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2005	0.86

The correlation between KCE and XLF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

KCE vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KCE	XLF
Financial Services	97.2%	98.2%
Technology	2.8%	1.6%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

KCE vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

KCE

KCE Risk / Return Rank: 18
KCE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
KCE Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
KCE Omega Ratio Rank: 17
KCE Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
KCE Martin Ratio Rank: 18

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 27
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 28
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 24

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

KCE vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	KCE	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.31	0.71	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.57	1.05	-0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.13	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.37	0.71	-0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.95	1.80	-0.86

KCE vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KCE Sharpe Ratio is 0.31, which is lower than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KCE 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.

Drawdowns

KCE vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KCE drawdown since its inception was -74.00%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KCE and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	KCE	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.00%	-82.69%	+8.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.44%	-14.79%	-2.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.31%	-15.54%	-10.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.45%	-25.81%	-8.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.78%	-42.86%	+2.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.11%	-1.15%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.65%	-19.92%	-2.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.84%	5.79%	+1.05%

Volatility

KCE vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF (KCE) has a higher volatility of 6.54% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 4.07%. This indicates that KCE'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.

Volatility by Period

	KCE	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.54%	4.07%	+2.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.90%	11.10%	+4.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.72%	14.77%	+5.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.13%	18.45%	+4.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.88%	22.08%	+0.80%

KCE vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

KCE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLF's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

KCE vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

KCE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.67%, more than XLF's 1.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KCE SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF	1.67%	1.63%	1.56%	1.82%	2.42%	1.53%	2.20%	2.32%	2.67%	1.95%	2.30%	2.43%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.42%	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

Can I hold both KCE and XLF in my portfolio?

KCE and XLF have a correlation of 0.77, 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 XLF?

KCE has higher volatility (6.54%) compared to XLF (4.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KCE dropped -74.00% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which ETF is better, KCE or XLF?

On 10-year performance, KCE leads with 17.91% vs 13.69% for XLF. On fees, XLF is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLF has been the lower-risk option at 4.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KCE or XLF?

Over the 10-year period, KCE has performed better with a 17.91% return vs 13.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KCE or XLF?

XLF is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for KCE.

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

KCE has the higher dividend yield at 1.67%, compared with 1.42% for XLF.

What is the main difference between KCE and XLF?

KCE tracks S&P Capital Markets Select Industry Index, while XLF tracks Financial Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for KCE and 0.08% for XLF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.71 vs 0.31), 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.