NWG vs. XLP

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

NWG (NatWest Group plc) 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, NWG returned 15.97%/yr vs 7.21%/yr for XLP. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

NWG vs. XLP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NatWest Group plc (NWG) 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, NWG achieves a -5.18% return, which is significantly lower than XLP's 7.54% return. Over the past 10 years, NWG has outperformed XLP with an annualized return of 15.97%, while XLP has yielded a comparatively lower 7.21% annualized return.

NWG

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: -5.18%
• 6M: 0.44%
• 1Y: 17.10%
• 3Y*: 43.71%
• 5Y*: 30.30%
• 10Y*: 15.97%

XLP

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: -1.32%
• YTD: 7.54%
• 6M: 8.22%
• 1Y: 4.50%
• 3Y*: 7.23%
• 5Y*: 6.10%
• 10Y*: 7.21%

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

NWG vs. XLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NWG NatWest Group plc	-5.18%	81.29%	92.31%	-4.69%	11.23%	39.24%	-24.92%	29.18%	-26.25%	38.16%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	7.54%	1.52%	12.20%	-0.82%	-0.81%	17.20%	10.11%	27.43%	-8.07%	12.98%

Correlation

The correlation between NWG and XLP is 0.07, 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 18, 2007	0.35

Over the past year, the correlation between NWG and XLP has dropped to 0.07 - well below their long-term average of 0.35, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

NWG vs. XLP — Risk / Return Rank

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

NWG

NWG Risk / Return Rank: 57
NWG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
NWG Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
NWG Omega Ratio Rank: 52
NWG Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
NWG Martin Ratio Rank: 60

XLP

XLP Risk / Return Rank: 15
XLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
XLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
XLP Omega Ratio Rank: 14
XLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLP Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

NWG vs. XLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NatWest Group plc (NWG) 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.

	NWG	XLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.55	0.36	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.97	0.60	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.07	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.71	0.47	+0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.80	0.91	+0.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NWG vs. XLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NWG Sharpe Ratio is 0.55, which is higher than the XLP Sharpe Ratio of 0.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NWG 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NWG	XLP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55	0.36	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91	0.46	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	0.49	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.11	0.44	-0.54

Drawdowns

NWG vs. XLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NWG drawdown since its inception was -96.96%, which is greater than XLP's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NWG and XLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	NWG	XLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.96%	-35.90%	-61.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.03%	-9.69%	-14.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.62%	-12.39%	-22.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.56%	-16.30%	-24.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-67.34%	-24.51%	-42.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-71.45%	-7.19%	-64.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-86.22%	-7.06%	-79.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.60%	4.97%	+4.63%

Volatility

NWG vs. XLP - Volatility Comparison

NatWest Group plc (NWG) has a higher volatility of 8.65% compared to State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) at 4.30%. This indicates that NWG'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

	NWG	XLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.65%	4.30%	+4.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.92%	9.97%	+13.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.41%	12.75%	+18.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.53%	13.31%	+20.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.32%	14.74%	+23.58%

Dividends

NWG vs. XLP - Dividend Comparison

NWG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.51%, more than XLP's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NWG NatWest Group plc	5.51%	3.69%	4.36%	9.42%	11.57%	2.74%	4.59%	9.75%	0.91%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.62%	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 NWG and XLP in my portfolio?

NWG and XLP have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NWG or XLP?

NWG has higher volatility (8.65%) compared to XLP (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NWG dropped -96.96% vs XLP's -35.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NWG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.55 vs 0.36), 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.