PAVE vs. XLU

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

PAVE (Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PAVE is a Infrastructure Equities fund tracking the INDXX U.S. Infrastructure Development Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PAVE returned 18.19%/yr vs 8.73%/yr for XLU. Their 0.32 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. PAVE charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

PAVE vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE) 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, PAVE achieves a 22.79% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 4.71% return.

PAVE

• 1D: 1.81%
• 1M: 2.50%
• 6M: 12.01%
• YTD: 22.79%
• 1Y: 30.13%
• 3Y*: 23.17%
• 5Y*: 18.19%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.46%

XLU

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: -3.61%
• 6M: 3.38%
• YTD: 4.71%
• 1Y: 3.85%
• 3Y*: 14.70%
• 5Y*: 8.73%
• 10Y*: 9.09%
• ALL TIME*: 7.63%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PAVE Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF	$108.37M	$122.49M	$109.59M
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	$908.67M	$837.51M	$917.90M

PAVE vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PAVE Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF	22.79%	19.36%	17.92%	31.01%	-7.17%	36.42%	19.72%	33.26%	-19.15%	13.41%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	4.71%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	5.90%

Correlation

The correlation between PAVE and XLU is 0.33, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2017	0.32

PAVE vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PAVE	XLU
Industrials	72.3%	-
Basic Materials	22.1%	-
Utilities	3.5%	100.0%
Technology	1.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.3%	-
Energy	0.2%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

PAVE vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PAVE

PAVE Risk / Return Rank: 57
PAVE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
PAVE Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
PAVE Omega Ratio Rank: 49
PAVE Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
PAVE Martin Ratio Rank: 62

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 15
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 14
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 16

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PAVE vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE) 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.

	PAVE	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	0.26	+1.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.11	0.46	+1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.05	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	0.42	+2.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.33	0.87	+7.46

PAVE vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PAVE Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PAVE 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.

Drawdowns

PAVE vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PAVE drawdown since its inception was -44.08%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAVE and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	PAVE	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.08%	-51.98%	+7.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.91%	-9.18%	-2.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.23%	-13.15%	-13.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.23%	-25.26%	-0.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.18%	-6.34%	+4.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.19%	-10.19%	+4.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.63%	4.51%	-0.88%

Volatility

PAVE vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE) has a higher volatility of 6.54% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 3.88%. This indicates that PAVE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PAVE	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.54%	3.88%	+2.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.73%	11.93%	+4.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.50%	15.00%	+5.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.72%	17.34%	+4.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.38%	19.30%	+5.08%

PAVE vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

PAVE has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

PAVE vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

PAVE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.74%, less than XLU's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PAVE Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF	0.74%	0.92%	0.54%	0.68%	0.84%	0.48%	0.44%	0.67%	0.78%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.71%	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 PAVE and XLU in my portfolio?

PAVE and XLU have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PAVE or XLU?

PAVE has higher volatility (6.54%) compared to XLU (3.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAVE dropped -44.08% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, PAVE or XLU?

On 5-year performance, PAVE leads with 18.19% vs 8.73% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 3.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PAVE or XLU?

Over the 5-year period, PAVE has performed better with a 18.19% return vs 8.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PAVE or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for PAVE.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.71%, compared with 0.74% for PAVE.

What is the main difference between PAVE and XLU?

PAVE is categorized as Infrastructure Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. PAVE tracks INDXX U.S. Infrastructure Development Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for PAVE and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAVE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 0.26), 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.