KRE vs. XLF

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

KRE (SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Financials Equities funds from State Street - KRE tracks the S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index while XLF tracks the Financial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, KRE returned 9.54%/yr vs 13.69%/yr for XLF. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. KRE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.

Performance

KRE vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) 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, KRE achieves a 18.73% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's 4.86% return. Over the past 10 years, KRE has underperformed XLF with an annualized return of 9.54%, while XLF has yielded a comparatively higher 13.69% annualized return.

KRE

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.39%
• 6M: 11.83%
• YTD: 18.73%
• 1Y: 32.45%
• 3Y*: 19.76%
• 5Y*: 6.87%
• 10Y*: 9.54%
• ALL TIME*: 4.83%

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)
KRE SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF	$961.35M	$999.45M	$1.05B
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	$1.84B	$1.93B	$1.92B

KRE vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KRE SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF	18.73%	10.21%	18.58%	-7.61%	-15.08%	39.29%	-7.43%	27.44%	-18.81%	7.49%
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 KRE and XLF is 0.68, 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.	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2006	0.84

The correlation between KRE and XLF shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

KRE vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KRE	XLF
Financial Services	100.0%	98.2%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	1.6%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

KRE vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

KRE

KRE Risk / Return Rank: 53
KRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
KRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
KRE Omega Ratio Rank: 55
KRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
KRE Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

KRE vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	KRE	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	0.71	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.85	1.05	+0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.13	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	0.71	+1.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.30	1.80	+3.49

KRE vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KRE Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is higher than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KRE 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

KRE vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KRE drawdown since its inception was -68.54%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KRE and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	KRE	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.54%	-82.69%	+14.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.95%	-14.79%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.20%	-15.54%	-12.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-52.69%	-25.81%	-26.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.92%	-42.86%	-12.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.39%	-1.15%	-1.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.74%	-19.92%	-1.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.63%	5.79%	-0.16%

Volatility

KRE vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) has a higher volatility of 5.56% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 4.07%. This indicates that KRE'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

	KRE	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.56%	4.07%	+1.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.30%	11.10%	+4.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.91%	14.77%	+8.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.63%	18.45%	+11.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.76%	22.08%	+9.68%

KRE vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

KRE vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

KRE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.10%, more than XLF's 1.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KRE SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF	2.10%	2.45%	2.59%	2.99%	2.51%	1.97%	2.78%	2.21%	2.48%	1.40%	1.40%	1.80%
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 KRE and XLF in my portfolio?

KRE and XLF have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KRE or XLF?

KRE has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to XLF (4.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KRE dropped -68.54% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which ETF is better, KRE or XLF?

On 10-year performance, XLF leads with 13.69% vs 9.54% for KRE. 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, KRE or XLF?

Over the 10-year period, XLF has performed better with a 13.69% return vs 9.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KRE or XLF?

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

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

KRE has the higher dividend yield at 2.10%, compared with 1.42% for XLF.

What is the main difference between KRE and XLF?

KRE tracks S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index, while XLF tracks Financial Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for KRE and 0.08% for XLF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KRE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.31 vs 0.71), 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.