NZAC vs. XLU
NZAC (SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NZAC is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NZAC returned 12.17%/yr vs 9.35%/yr for XLU. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NZAC charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.
Performance
NZAC vs. XLU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NZAC achieves a 6.02% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 6.99% return. Over the past 10 years, NZAC has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 12.17%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.35% annualized return.
NZAC
- 1D
- -1.70%
- 1M
- -1.26%
- YTD
- 6.02%
- 6M
- 5.37%
- 1Y
- 20.66%
- 3Y*
- 17.81%
- 5Y*
- 9.25%
- 10Y*
- 12.17%
XLU
- 1D
- 0.78%
- 1M
- 0.02%
- YTD
- 6.99%
- 6M
- 7.17%
- 1Y
- 14.05%
- 3Y*
- 14.90%
- 5Y*
- 10.60%
- 10Y*
- 9.35%
NZAC vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NZAC SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF | 6.02% | 20.55% | 16.67% | 23.22% | -19.77% | 18.35% | 17.21% | 28.24% | -9.80% | 22.93% |
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | 6.99% | 16.03% | 23.31% | -7.18% | 1.44% | 17.70% | 0.51% | 25.93% | 3.94% | 12.05% |
Correlation
The correlation between NZAC and XLU is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 26, 2014 | 0.30 |
The correlation between NZAC and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (1 year) to 0.34 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
NZAC vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank
NZAC
XLU
NZAC vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF (NZAC) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.
| NZAC | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.55 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.77 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.17 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.05 | 1.54 | +0.52 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.63 | 3.26 | +5.37 |
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Drawdowns
NZAC vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NZAC drawdown since its inception was -33.72%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NZAC and XLU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NZAC | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.72% | -51.98% | +18.26% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.10% | -9.18% | -0.92% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.19% | -17.26% | +1.07% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.31% | -25.26% | -3.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.72% | -36.07% | +2.35% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.38% | -4.30% | +0.92% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.31% | -10.21% | +4.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.40% | 4.32% | -1.92% |
Volatility
NZAC vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison
SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF (NZAC) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) have volatilities of 5.41% and 5.21%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| NZAC | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.41% | 5.21% | +0.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.34% | 11.70% | -0.36% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.73% | 14.69% | -0.96% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.94% | 17.30% | -0.36% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.13% | 19.29% | -2.16% |
NZAC vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison
NZAC has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
NZAC vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison
NZAC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.09%, less than XLU's 2.65% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NZAC SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF | 2.09% | 1.90% | 1.88% | 1.65% | 1.81% | 1.62% | 1.59% | 2.17% | 2.53% | 2.20% | 2.00% | 2.40% |
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | 2.65% | 2.71% | 2.96% | 3.39% | 2.92% | 2.79% | 3.14% | 2.95% | 3.33% | 3.33% | 3.41% | 3.67% |
Frequently Asked Questions
NZAC and XLU have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NZAC has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to XLU (5.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NZAC dropped -33.72% vs XLU's -51.98%.
On 10-year performance, NZAC leads with 12.17% vs 9.35% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, NZAC has performed better with a 12.17% return vs 9.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for NZAC.
XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.65%, compared with 2.09% for NZAC.
NZAC is categorized as Global Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. NZAC tracks MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for NZAC and 0.08% for XLU.
NZAC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 0.96), 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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