PL vs. XAR

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

PL (Planet Labs PBC) is a stock, while XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) is Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. Over the past 5 years, PL returned 25.63%/yr vs 16.58%/yr for XAR. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

PL vs. XAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Planet Labs PBC (PL) and SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PL achieves a 57.96% return, which is significantly higher than XAR's 16.10% return.

PL

• 1D: -8.84%
• 1M: -27.63%
• YTD: 57.96%
• 6M: 70.78%
• 1Y: 480.07%
• 3Y*: 106.65%
• 5Y*: 25.63%
• 10Y*: —

XAR

• 1D: -1.55%
• 1M: 3.18%
• YTD: 16.10%
• 6M: 18.39%
• 1Y: 42.07%
• 3Y*: 33.32%
• 5Y*: 16.58%
• 10Y*: 18.45%

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

PL vs. XAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PL Planet Labs PBC	57.96%	388.12%	63.56%	-43.22%	-29.27%	-37.24%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	16.10%	46.15%	23.32%	23.79%	-5.02%	-8.32%

Correlation

The correlation between PL and XAR is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 26, 2021	0.53

The correlation between PL and XAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PL vs. XAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PL

PL Risk / Return Rank: 97
PL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
PL Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
PL Omega Ratio Rank: 95
PL Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PL Martin Ratio Rank: 99

XAR

XAR Risk / Return Rank: 49
XAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
XAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
XAR Omega Ratio Rank: 44
XAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
XAR Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

PL vs. XAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Planet Labs PBC (PL) and SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). 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.

	PL	XAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.62	1.50	+3.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.16	2.20	+1.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.25	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	11.79	2.43	+9.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	36.80	6.81	+29.99

PL vs. XAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PL Sharpe Ratio is 4.62, which is higher than the XAR Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PL and XAR, 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

PL vs. XAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PL drawdown since its inception was -85.73%, which is greater than XAR's maximum drawdown of -46.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PL and XAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	PL	XAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-85.73%	-46.37%	-39.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-40.23%	-17.22%	-23.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-55.17%	-19.73%	-35.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-85.73%	-32.40%	-53.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-39.40%	-4.32%	-35.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-49.90%	-6.78%	-43.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.88%	6.13%	+6.75%

Volatility

PL vs. XAR - Volatility Comparison

Planet Labs PBC (PL) has a higher volatility of 39.48% compared to SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) at 11.46%. This indicates that PL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PL	XAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	39.48%	11.46%	+28.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	78.71%	23.56%	+55.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	102.61%	27.85%	+74.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	80.98%	23.66%	+57.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	79.91%	24.74%	+55.17%

Dividends

PL vs. XAR - Dividend Comparison

PL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PL Planet Labs PBC	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.31%	0.40%	0.66%	0.54%	0.50%	0.83%	0.63%	0.75%	1.19%	0.76%	1.09%	2.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PL and XAR in my portfolio?

PL and XAR have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PL or XAR?

PL has higher volatility (39.48%) compared to XAR (11.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PL dropped -85.73% vs XAR's -46.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.62 vs 1.50), 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.