OBND vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

OBND (SPDR Loomis Sayles Opportunistic Bond ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - OBND is a Nontraditional Bonds fund actively managed by State Street, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. OBND is actively managed, while XLU is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, OBND returned 6.89%/yr vs 13.74%/yr for XLU. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. OBND charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

OBND vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Loomis Sayles Opportunistic Bond ETF (OBND) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, OBND achieves a 1.31% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 3.11% return.

OBND

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.31%
• 6M: 1.22%
• 1Y: 6.61%
• 3Y*: 6.89%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLU

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: -5.74%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 9.11%
• 3Y*: 13.74%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: 9.15%

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

OBND vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
OBND SPDR Loomis Sayles Opportunistic Bond ETF	1.31%	7.85%	4.80%	9.47%	-11.24%	0.02%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.11%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	13.50%

Correlation

The correlation between OBND and XLU is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2021	0.35

OBND vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OBND	XLU
Financial Services	98.1%	-
Energy	0.6%	-
Technology	0.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.3%	-
Healthcare	0.2%	-
Communication Services	0.2%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

OBND vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

OBND

OBND Risk / Return Rank: 58
OBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
OBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
OBND Omega Ratio Rank: 62
OBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
OBND Martin Ratio Rank: 58

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 19
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

OBND vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Loomis Sayles Opportunistic Bond ETF (OBND) 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.

	OBND	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	0.63	+1.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	0.94	+2.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.12	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	1.00	+1.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.09	2.24	+7.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

OBND vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OBND Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OBND and XLU, 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

	OBND	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97	0.63	+1.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.40	+0.10

Drawdowns

OBND vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OBND drawdown since its inception was -15.86%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OBND and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	OBND	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.86%	-51.98%	+36.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.88%	-9.18%	+6.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.17%	-17.26%	+14.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.26%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-7.78%	+7.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.41%	-10.22%	+5.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	4.09%	-3.43%

Volatility

OBND vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Loomis Sayles Opportunistic Bond ETF (OBND) is 1.08%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that OBND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OBND	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.08%	5.41%	-4.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.68%	11.53%	-8.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.38%	14.57%	-11.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.66%	17.32%	-12.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.66%	19.26%	-14.60%

OBND vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

OBND has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

OBND vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

OBND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.28%, more than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
OBND SPDR Loomis Sayles Opportunistic Bond ETF	6.28%	6.26%	6.53%	6.01%	4.56%	0.55%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.72%	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

Can I hold both OBND and XLU in my portfolio?

OBND and XLU have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OBND or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to OBND (1.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OBND dropped -15.86% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, OBND or XLU?

On 3-year performance, XLU leads with 13.74% vs 6.89% for OBND. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, OBND has been the lower-risk option at 1.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OBND or XLU?

Over the 3-year period, XLU has performed better with a 13.74% return vs 6.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OBND or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for OBND.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, OBND or XLU?

OBND has the higher dividend yield at 6.28%, compared with 2.72% for XLU.

What is the main difference between OBND and XLU?

OBND is categorized as Nontraditional Bonds, while XLU is Utilities Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for OBND and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

OBND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 0.63), 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.