LNG vs. XOP

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

LNG (Cheniere Energy, Inc.) is a stock, while XOP (SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF) is Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry. Over the past 10 years, LNG returned 21.39%/yr vs 2.97%/yr for XOP. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

LNG vs. XOP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG) and SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LNG achieves a 33.71% return, which is significantly higher than XOP's 26.71% return. Over the past 10 years, LNG has outperformed XOP with an annualized return of 21.39%, while XOP has yielded a comparatively lower 2.97% annualized return.

LNG

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: 7.70%
• 6M: 33.86%
• YTD: 33.71%
• 1Y: 11.03%
• 3Y*: 18.92%
• 5Y*: 25.25%
• 10Y*: 21.39%

XOP

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: -2.49%
• 6M: 25.57%
• YTD: 26.71%
• 1Y: 21.93%
• 3Y*: 8.56%
• 5Y*: 13.75%
• 10Y*: 2.97%

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

LNG vs. XOP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LNG Cheniere Energy, Inc.	33.71%	-8.70%	27.18%	15.02%	49.30%	69.48%	-1.70%	3.18%	9.94%	29.95%
XOP SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF	26.71%	-2.15%	-1.00%	3.56%	45.37%	66.74%	-36.40%	-9.44%	-28.10%	-9.47%

Correlation

The correlation between LNG and XOP is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2006	0.53

The correlation between LNG and XOP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LNG vs. XOP — Risk / Return Rank

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

LNG

LNG Risk / Return Rank: 56
LNG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
LNG Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
LNG Omega Ratio Rank: 53
LNG Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
LNG Martin Ratio Rank: 56

XOP

XOP Risk / Return Rank: 27
XOP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
XOP Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
XOP Omega Ratio Rank: 26
XOP Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
XOP Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

LNG vs. XOP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG) and SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP). 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.

	LNG	XOP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	0.81	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.79	1.22	-0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.15	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.48	1.23	-0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.90	3.01	-2.12

LNG vs. XOP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LNG Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the XOP Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LNG and XOP, 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

LNG vs. XOP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LNG drawdown since its inception was -97.84%, which is greater than XOP's maximum drawdown of -90.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LNG and XOP.

Drawdown Indicators

	LNG	XOP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.84%	-90.27%	-7.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.09%	-18.50%	-5.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.87%	-34.98%	+10.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.87%	-34.98%	+10.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-57.53%	-82.61%	+25.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.69%	-40.77%	+28.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.08%	-42.57%	-0.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.88%	7.54%	+5.34%

Volatility

LNG vs. XOP - Volatility Comparison

Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG) and SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP) have volatilities of 7.89% and 7.88%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LNG	XOP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.89%	7.88%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.45%	22.07%	+0.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.34%	28.03%	-0.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.37%	33.73%	-3.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.28%	40.17%	-7.89%

Dividends

LNG vs. XOP - Dividend Comparison

LNG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, less than XOP's 2.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LNG Cheniere Energy, Inc.	0.84%	1.06%	0.84%	0.95%	0.92%	0.33%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XOP SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF	2.05%	2.62%	2.45%	2.63%	2.47%	1.61%	2.34%	1.47%	0.99%	0.76%	0.76%	2.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LNG and XOP in my portfolio?

LNG and XOP have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LNG or XOP?

LNG has higher volatility (7.89%) compared to XOP (7.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LNG dropped -97.84% vs XOP's -90.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XOP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.81 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.