PIPE vs. XLE

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

PIPE (Invesco SteelPath MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PIPE is a Infrastructure Equities fund actively managed by Invesco, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. PIPE is actively managed, while XLE is passively managed. Over the past year, PIPE returned 30.59% vs 41.66% for XLE. Their 0.67 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PIPE charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

PIPE vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco SteelPath MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (PIPE) 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, PIPE achieves a 28.11% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 33.31% return.

PIPE

• 1D: -1.16%
• 1M: 2.22%
• 6M: 20.40%
• YTD: 28.11%
• 1Y: 30.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.77%

XLE

• 1D: -1.28%
• 1M: 10.47%
• 6M: 19.08%
• YTD: 33.31%
• 1Y: 41.66%
• 3Y*: 14.20%
• 5Y*: 23.80%
• 10Y*: 10.08%
• ALL TIME*: 8.81%

*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)
PIPE Invesco SteelPath MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF	$149.15K	$94.70K	$92.96K
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	$1.70B	$1.73B	$1.97B

PIPE vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PIPE Invesco SteelPath MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF	28.11%	0.14%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	33.31%	0.42%

Correlation

The correlation between PIPE and XLE is 0.68, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 20, 2025	0.67

The correlation between PIPE and XLE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

PIPE vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PIPE	XLE
Energy	97.0%	100.0%
Utilities	2.0%	-
Financial Services	1.3%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

PIPE vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

PIPE

PIPE Risk / Return Rank: 81
PIPE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
PIPE Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
PIPE Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PIPE Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
PIPE Martin Ratio Rank: 74

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 75
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 76
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

PIPE vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco SteelPath MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (PIPE) 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.

	PIPE	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	1.99	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	2.58	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.32	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.19	2.79	+1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.00	7.45	+2.55

PIPE vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PIPE Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PIPE 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

PIPE vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PIPE drawdown since its inception was -15.69%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PIPE and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	PIPE	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.69%	-71.26%	+55.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.33%	-14.98%	+7.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-20.14%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.04%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-66.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.77%	-5.35%	+1.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.94%	-17.93%	+13.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.07%	5.60%	-2.53%

Volatility

PIPE vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco SteelPath MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (PIPE) is 5.57%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 6.13%. This indicates that PIPE 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

	PIPE	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.57%	6.13%	-0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.06%	16.74%	-4.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.95%	21.04%	-6.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.62%	25.77%	-7.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.62%	29.58%	-10.96%

PIPE vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

PIPE has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

PIPE vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

PIPE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.75%, more than XLE's 2.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PIPE Invesco SteelPath MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF	3.75%	3.74%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.58%	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 PIPE and XLE in my portfolio?

PIPE and XLE have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PIPE or XLE?

XLE has higher volatility (6.13%) compared to PIPE (5.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PIPE dropped -15.69% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, PIPE or XLE?

On 1-year performance, XLE leads with 41.66% vs 30.59% for PIPE. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, PIPE has been the lower-risk option at 5.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PIPE or XLE?

Over the 1-year period, XLE has performed better with a 41.66% return vs 30.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PIPE or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for PIPE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PIPE or XLE?

PIPE has the higher dividend yield at 3.75%, compared with 2.58% for XLE.

What is the main difference between PIPE and XLE?

PIPE is categorized as Infrastructure Equities, while XLE is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for PIPE and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PIPE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.99), 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.