PCLIX vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PCLIX (PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both funds - PCLIX is a Commodities fund managed by PIMCO, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, PCLIX returned 11.35%/yr vs 9.37%/yr for XLE. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PCLIX charges 0.98%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

PCLIX vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund (PCLIX) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PCLIX achieves a 25.15% return, which is significantly higher than XLE's 23.49% return. Over the past 10 years, PCLIX has outperformed XLE with an annualized return of 11.35%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively lower 9.37% annualized return.

PCLIX

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: -9.68%
• YTD: 25.15%
• 6M: 22.65%
• 1Y: 27.62%
• 3Y*: 14.59%
• 5Y*: 14.52%
• 10Y*: 11.35%

XLE

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: -7.80%
• YTD: 23.49%
• 6M: 24.07%
• 1Y: 30.55%
• 3Y*: 15.73%
• 5Y*: 18.87%
• 10Y*: 9.37%

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

PCLIX vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PCLIX PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund	25.15%	5.76%	8.53%	0.69%	23.32%	43.83%	-9.18%	19.37%	-12.02%	10.86%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	23.49%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between PCLIX and XLE is 0.61, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2010	0.60

The correlation between PCLIX and XLE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PCLIX vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

PCLIX

PCLIX Risk / Return Rank: 27
PCLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
PCLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
PCLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
PCLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
PCLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 42
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 39
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

PCLIX vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund (PCLIX) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

	PCLIX	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	1.48	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.75	2.00	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.25	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.93	2.18	-0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.19	6.53	+1.66

PCLIX vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCLIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCLIX and XLE, 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

PCLIX vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCLIX drawdown since its inception was -66.60%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCLIX and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCLIX	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.60%	-71.26%	+4.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.82%	-14.05%	+1.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.82%	-20.14%	+7.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.59%	-26.04%	+4.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.78%	-66.81%	+15.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.82%	-12.32%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.09%	-17.96%	-6.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.42%	4.69%	-1.27%

Volatility

PCLIX vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund (PCLIX) is 4.65%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 7.12%. This indicates that PCLIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCLIX	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.65%	7.12%	-2.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.22%	16.82%	+0.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.55%	20.93%	-1.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.42%	25.98%	-6.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.55%	29.60%	+10.95%

PCLIX vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

PCLIX has a 0.98% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

PCLIX vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

PCLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.13%, more than XLE's 2.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCLIX PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund	11.13%	2.45%	7.50%	5.06%	42.60%	73.41%	0.77%	2.46%	18.58%	12.63%	0.16%	2.22%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.79%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PCLIX and XLE in my portfolio?

PCLIX and XLE have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PCLIX or XLE?

XLE has higher volatility (7.12%) compared to PCLIX (4.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCLIX dropped -66.60% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.27), 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.