MO vs. XLP

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

MO (Altria Group, Inc.) is a stock, while XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, MO returned 7.93%/yr vs 7.60%/yr for XLP. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

MO vs. XLP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Altria Group, Inc. (MO) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MO achieves a 26.86% return, which is significantly higher than XLP's 11.10% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with MO having a 7.93% annualized return and XLP not far behind at 7.60%.

MO

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: -0.65%
• YTD: 26.86%
• 6M: 26.78%
• 1Y: 28.74%
• 3Y*: 25.73%
• 5Y*: 16.36%
• 10Y*: 7.93%

XLP

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: 11.10%
• 6M: 9.54%
• 1Y: 8.93%
• 3Y*: 8.26%
• 5Y*: 6.65%
• 10Y*: 7.60%

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

MO vs. XLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MO Altria Group, Inc.	26.86%	18.17%	40.76%	-3.70%	4.37%	24.18%	-10.21%	7.87%	-27.14%	9.45%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	11.10%	1.52%	12.20%	-0.82%	-0.81%	17.20%	10.11%	27.43%	-8.07%	12.98%

Correlation

The correlation between MO and XLP is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1998	0.55

The correlation between MO and XLP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MO vs. XLP — Risk / Return Rank

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

MO

MO Risk / Return Rank: 75
MO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
MO Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
MO Omega Ratio Rank: 75
MO Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
MO Martin Ratio Rank: 75

XLP

XLP Risk / Return Rank: 19
XLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
XLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
XLP Omega Ratio Rank: 18
XLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
XLP Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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.

MO vs. XLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Altria Group, Inc. (MO) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). 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.

	MO	XLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	0.59	+0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.77	0.94	+0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.11	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	0.79	+0.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.39	1.52	+2.87

MO vs. XLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MO Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is higher than the XLP Sharpe Ratio of 0.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MO and XLP, 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

MO vs. XLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MO drawdown since its inception was -65.43%, which is greater than XLP's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MO and XLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	MO	XLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.43%	-35.90%	-29.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.40%	-9.69%	-6.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.40%	-12.39%	-4.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.83%	-16.30%	-9.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.69%	-24.51%	-29.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.50%	-4.12%	+0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.92%	-7.06%	-4.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.50%	5.01%	+1.49%

Volatility

MO vs. XLP - Volatility Comparison

Altria Group, Inc. (MO) has a higher volatility of 6.71% compared to State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) at 4.53%. This indicates that MO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MO	XLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.71%	4.53%	+2.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.60%	10.14%	+7.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.59%	12.90%	+9.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.68%	13.34%	+7.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.97%	14.75%	+8.22%

Dividends

MO vs. XLP - Dividend Comparison

MO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.84%, more than XLP's 2.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MO Altria Group, Inc.	5.84%	7.21%	7.65%	9.52%	8.05%	7.43%	8.29%	6.57%	6.07%	3.56%	3.48%	3.73%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.53%	2.75%	2.77%	2.63%	2.47%	2.28%	2.50%	2.57%	3.04%	2.62%	2.53%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MO and XLP in my portfolio?

MO and XLP have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MO or XLP?

MO has higher volatility (6.71%) compared to XLP (4.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MO dropped -65.43% vs XLP's -35.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 0.59), 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.