PLUG vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PLUG (Plug Power Inc.) is a stock, while XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, PLUG returned 6.32%/yr vs 9.99%/yr for XLE. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PLUG vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Plug Power Inc. (PLUG) 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, PLUG achieves a 82.74% return, which is significantly higher than XLE's 32.26% return. Over the past 10 years, PLUG has underperformed XLE with an annualized return of 6.32%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively higher 9.99% annualized return.

PLUG

• 1D: -2.44%
• 1M: 8.43%
• YTD: 82.74%
• 6M: 61.43%
• 1Y: 287.43%
• 3Y*: -24.66%
• 5Y*: -34.81%
• 10Y*: 6.32%

XLE

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -1.18%
• YTD: 32.26%
• 6M: 29.34%
• 1Y: 47.98%
• 3Y*: 17.74%
• 5Y*: 20.45%
• 10Y*: 9.99%

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

PLUG vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLUG Plug Power Inc.	82.74%	-7.51%	-52.67%	-63.62%	-56.18%	-16.75%	973.10%	154.84%	-47.46%	96.67%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	32.26%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between PLUG and XLE is 0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.05
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 1999	0.23

The correlation between PLUG and XLE shifts across timeframes, from 0.05 (1 year) to 0.23 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PLUG vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLUG

PLUG Risk / Return Rank: 90
PLUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
PLUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
PLUG Omega Ratio Rank: 87
PLUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
PLUG Martin Ratio Rank: 85

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 70
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 64
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

PLUG vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Plug Power Inc. (PLUG) 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.

	PLUG	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	2.36	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	3.01	+0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.38	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.11	4.00	+1.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.71	11.60	-2.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLUG vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLUG 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PLUG	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.61	2.36	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.37	0.79	-1.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07	0.34	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.14	0.31	-0.45

Drawdowns

PLUG vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLUG drawdown since its inception was -99.99%, which is greater than XLE's maximum drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLUG and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLUG	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.99%	-71.26%	-28.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-56.66%	-12.05%	-44.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-94.69%	-20.14%	-74.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-98.43%	-26.04%	-72.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.04%	-66.81%	-32.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.76%	-6.09%	-93.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-96.23%	-17.98%	-78.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	33.17%	4.15%	+29.02%

Volatility

PLUG vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

Plug Power Inc. (PLUG) has a higher volatility of 28.76% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) at 8.25%. This indicates that PLUG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLUG	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	28.76%	8.25%	+20.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	62.54%	16.51%	+46.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	110.95%	20.50%	+90.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	94.44%	26.01%	+68.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	89.38%	29.58%	+59.80%

Dividends

PLUG vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

PLUG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLUG Plug Power Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	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	2.54%	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 PLUG and XLE in my portfolio?

PLUG and XLE have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLUG or XLE?

PLUG has higher volatility (28.76%) compared to XLE (8.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLUG dropped -99.99% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 2.36), 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.