NIKL vs. XLEI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NIKL (Sprott Nickel Miners ETF) and XLEI (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - NIKL tracks the Nasdaq Sprott Nickel Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross while XLEI tracks the S&P Energy Select Sector. Both are passively managed. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NIKL charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLEI.

Performance

NIKL vs. XLEI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NIKL achieves a -8.20% return, which is significantly lower than XLEI's 20.42% return.

NIKL

• 1D: -8.49%
• 1M: -14.45%
• YTD: -8.20%
• 6M: 5.56%
• 1Y: 32.72%
• 3Y*: -3.41%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLEI

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 20.42%
• 6M: 20.06%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NIKL vs. XLEI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	-8.20%	36.13%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	20.42%	6.77%

Correlation

The correlation between NIKL and XLEI is 0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2025	0.01

NIKL vs. XLEI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NIKL	XLEI
Basic Materials	100.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	100.3%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NIKL vs. XLEI — Risk / Return Rank

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

NIKL

NIKL Risk / Return Rank: 23
NIKL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
NIKL Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
NIKL Omega Ratio Rank: 23
NIKL Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
NIKL Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

NIKL vs. XLEI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). 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.

	NIKL	XLEI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.78	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.10	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.67	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NIKL	XLEI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.11	2.65	-2.76

Drawdowns

NIKL vs. XLEI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NIKL drawdown since its inception was -60.23%, which is greater than XLEI's maximum drawdown of -7.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NIKL and XLEI.

Drawdown Indicators

	NIKL	XLEI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.23%	-7.98%	-52.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.87%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-60.23%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-29.87%	-0.97%	-28.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.58%	-1.52%	-25.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.29%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NIKL	XLEI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.28%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.54%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	42.12%	13.16%	+28.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.62%	13.16%	+19.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.62%	13.16%	+19.46%

NIKL vs. XLEI - Expense Ratio Comparison

NIKL has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than XLEI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

NIKL vs. XLEI - Dividend Comparison

NIKL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, less than XLEI's 16.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	2.75%	2.53%	3.49%	19.52%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	16.59%	10.17%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NIKL and XLEI in my portfolio?

NIKL and XLEI have a correlation of 0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, NIKL or XLEI?

On fees, XLEI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NIKL or XLEI?

XLEI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for NIKL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NIKL or XLEI?

XLEI has the higher dividend yield at 16.59%, compared with 2.75% for NIKL.

What is the main difference between NIKL and XLEI?

NIKL tracks Nasdaq Sprott Nickel Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while XLEI tracks S&P Energy Select Sector. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for NIKL and 0.35% for XLEI.