LIN vs. XLB
LIN (Linde plc) is a stock, while XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Materials fund tracking the Materials Select Sector Index. Over the past 5 years, LIN returned 11.21%/yr vs 6.72%/yr for XLB. Their 0.75 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently.
Performance
LIN vs. XLB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, LIN achieves a 14.40% return, which is significantly lower than XLB's 15.61% return.
LIN
- 1D
- 0.87%
- 1M
- -11.34%
- 6M
- 5.23%
- YTD
- 14.40%
- 1Y
- 5.08%
- 3Y*
- 10.05%
- 5Y*
- 11.21%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 16.40%
XLB
- 1D
- 1.94%
- 1M
- -0.02%
- 6M
- 3.41%
- YTD
- 15.61%
- 1Y
- 20.51%
- 3Y*
- 9.65%
- 5Y*
- 6.72%
- 10Y*
- 10.04%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.41%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
LIN Linde plc | $1.20B | $1.10B | $1.18B |
| $643.42M | $590.20M | $599.86M |
LIN vs. XLB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LIN Linde plc | 14.40% | 3.22% | 3.18% | 27.66% | -4.39% | 33.39% | 25.88% | 39.04% | -5.26% |
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 15.61% | 9.94% | 0.15% | 12.46% | -12.30% | 27.44% | 20.46% | 24.13% | -12.22% |
Correlation
The correlation between LIN and XLB is 0.56, 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. | 0.56 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.67 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2018 | 0.75 |
The correlation between LIN and XLB shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.75 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
LIN vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank
LIN
XLB
LIN vs. XLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Linde plc (LIN) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). 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.
| LIN | XLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.89 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.21 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.06 | 1.21 | -0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.27 | 1.66 | -1.40 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.72 | 4.94 | -4.22 |
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Drawdowns
LIN vs. XLB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum LIN drawdown since its inception was -32.59%, smaller than the maximum XLB drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LIN and XLB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| LIN | XLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.59% | -59.83% | +27.24% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.18% | -12.38% | -6.80% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.18% | -23.17% | +3.99% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.82% | -24.72% | +1.90% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -37.27% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.34% | -2.22% | -9.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.39% | -10.79% | +5.40% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.05% | 4.16% | +2.89% |
Volatility
LIN vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison
Linde plc (LIN) has a higher volatility of 7.35% compared to Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) at 6.00%. This indicates that LIN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| LIN | XLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.35% | 6.00% | +1.35% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.34% | 14.18% | +1.16% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.86% | 17.75% | +1.11% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.93% | 19.11% | +1.82% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.08% | 20.69% | +3.39% |
Dividends
LIN vs. XLB - Dividend Comparison
LIN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, less than XLB's 1.63% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LIN Linde plc | 1.28% | 1.41% | 1.33% | 1.24% | 1.43% | 1.22% | 1.46% | 1.64% | 0.53% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 1.63% | 1.92% | 1.92% | 2.00% | 2.26% | 1.62% | 1.72% | 1.98% | 2.20% | 1.66% | 1.95% | 2.24% |
Frequently Asked Questions
LIN and XLB have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
LIN has higher volatility (7.35%) compared to XLB (6.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LIN dropped -32.59% vs XLB's -59.83%.
XLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.16 vs 0.27), 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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