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KIE vs. XLU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

KIE vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

KIE (SPDR S&P Insurance ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KIE is a Financials Equities fund tracking the S&P Insurance 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, KIE returned 12.08%/yr vs 9.46%/yr for XLU. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. KIE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

KIE vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Insurance ETF (KIE) 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, KIE achieves a 0.16% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 8.11% return. Over the past 10 years, KIE has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 12.08%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.46% annualized return.

KIE

1D
0.17%
1M
4.05%
YTD
0.16%
6M
-1.28%
1Y
2.10%
3Y*
16.62%
5Y*
10.76%
10Y*
12.08%

XLU

1D
1.04%
1M
1.06%
YTD
8.11%
6M
7.81%
1Y
14.75%
3Y*
15.30%
5Y*
10.60%
10Y*
9.46%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

KIE vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
KIE
SPDR S&P Insurance ETF		0.16%8.12%26.95%12.18%3.48%22.75%-3.04%27.19%-5.99%12.83%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		8.11%16.03%23.31%-7.18%1.44%17.70%0.51%25.93%3.94%12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between KIE and XLU is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.23

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

0.36

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

0.41

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

0.36

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2005

0.43

Over the past year, the correlation between KIE and XLU has dropped to 0.23 - well below their long-term average of 0.43, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

KIE vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
KIE
XLU

Financial Services

96.9%

-

Healthcare

3.1%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

100.0%

Financial Services

KIE
96.9%
XLU

-

Healthcare

KIE
3.1%
XLU

-

Basic Materials

KIE

-

XLU

-

Communication Services

KIE

-

XLU

-

Consumer Cyclical

KIE

-

XLU

-

Consumer Defensive

KIE

-

XLU

-

Energy

KIE

-

XLU

-

Industrials

KIE

-

XLU

-

Real Estate

KIE

-

XLU

-

Technology

KIE

-

XLU

-

Utilities

KIE

-

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.

SPDR S&P Insurance ETF

State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF

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Often compared with XLU:
XLU vs. VPUXLU vs. XLEXLU vs. XLPXLU vs. SPYXLU vs. FUTYXLU vs. UTESXLU vs. IDU

Return for Risk

KIE vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
KIE
KIE Risk / Return Rank: 1010
Overall Rank
KIE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1010
Sharpe Ratio Rank
KIE Sortino Ratio Rank: 1010
Sortino Ratio Rank
KIE Omega Ratio Rank: 1010
Omega Ratio Rank
KIE Calmar Ratio Rank: 1111
Calmar Ratio Rank
KIE Martin Ratio Rank: 1111
Martin Ratio Rank
XLU
XLU Risk / Return Rank: 2929
Overall Rank
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3030
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2828
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 2828
Omega Ratio Rank
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 3535
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 2727
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.

KIE vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

KIEXLUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.13
1.01

-0.88

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.29
1.42

-1.13

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.03

1.18

-0.14

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.18

1.61

-1.43

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

0.43

3.42

-2.99

KIE vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KIE Sharpe Ratio is 0.13, which is lower than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KIE 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

KIE vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KIE drawdown since its inception was -75.30%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KIE and XLU.

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Drawdown Indicators

KIEXLUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-75.30%

-51.98%

-23.32%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.81%

-9.18%

-2.63%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-12.65%

-17.26%

+4.61%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.68%

-25.26%

+9.58%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.31%

-36.07%

-8.24%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.28%

-3.31%

+2.03%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-12.02%

-10.21%

-1.81%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.92%

4.33%

+0.59%

Volatility

KIE vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Insurance ETF (KIE) has a higher volatility of 5.81% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.25%. This indicates that KIE'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

KIEXLUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.81%

5.25%

+0.56%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.85%

11.67%

+0.18%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.39%

14.67%

+1.72%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.37%

17.31%

+1.06%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.16%

19.28%

+1.88%

KIE vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

KIE vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

KIE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, less than XLU's 2.63% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
KIE
SPDR S&P Insurance ETF		1.64%1.57%1.48%1.45%1.90%1.95%1.85%1.76%1.83%1.56%1.55%1.65%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		2.63%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

KIE and XLU have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

KIE has higher volatility (5.81%) compared to XLU (5.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KIE dropped -75.30% vs XLU's -51.98%.

On 10-year performance, KIE leads with 12.08% vs 9.46% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, KIE has performed better with a 12.08% return vs 9.46%. 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 0.35% for KIE.

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.63%, compared with 1.64% for KIE.

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

XLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.01 vs 0.13), 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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