PLW vs. XLG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLW (Invesco 1-30 Laddered Treasury ETF) and XLG (Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PLW is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Ryan/NASDAQ 1-30 Year Treasury Laddered Index, while XLG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Top 50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PLW returned -0.10%/yr vs 17.27%/yr for XLG. At a correlation of -0.25, they often move in opposite directions. PLW charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for XLG.

Performance

PLW vs. XLG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco 1-30 Laddered Treasury ETF (PLW) and Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLW achieves a -0.55% return, which is significantly lower than XLG's 7.57% return. Over the past 10 years, PLW has underperformed XLG with an annualized return of -0.10%, while XLG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.27% annualized return.

PLW

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: -0.55%
• 6M: -1.32%
• 1Y: 4.34%
• 3Y*: 0.89%
• 5Y*: -2.77%
• 10Y*: -0.10%

XLG

• 1D: -1.15%
• 1M: 4.22%
• YTD: 7.57%
• 6M: 7.32%
• 1Y: 28.54%
• 3Y*: 24.46%
• 5Y*: 16.24%
• 10Y*: 17.27%

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

PLW vs. XLG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLW Invesco 1-30 Laddered Treasury ETF	-0.55%	5.84%	-2.95%	3.31%	-19.98%	-3.76%	12.55%	10.00%	-0.28%	4.96%
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF	7.57%	19.51%	33.49%	38.16%	-24.29%	30.77%	24.15%	32.04%	-3.59%	23.04%

Correlation

The correlation between PLW and XLG is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 12, 2007	-0.25

The correlation between PLW and XLG shifts across timeframes, from -0.25 (all time) to 0.14 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PLW vs. XLG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PLW	XLG
Financial Services	0.0%	9.6%
Basic Materials	-	0.6%
Communication Services	-	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	11.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.8%
Energy	-	2.7%
Healthcare	-	7.0%
Industrials	-	1.9%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	43.9%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PLW vs. XLG — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLW

PLW Risk / Return Rank: 19
PLW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
PLW Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
PLW Omega Ratio Rank: 18
PLW Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
PLW Martin Ratio Rank: 20

XLG

XLG Risk / Return Rank: 56
XLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
XLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
XLG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
XLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
XLG Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

PLW vs. XLG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco 1-30 Laddered Treasury ETF (PLW) and Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG). 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.

	PLW	XLG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.66	2.15	-1.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.00	2.92	-1.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.38	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.80	2.31	-1.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.24	8.66	-6.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLW vs. XLG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLW Sharpe Ratio is 0.66, which is lower than the XLG Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLW and XLG, 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

	PLW	XLG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66	2.15	-1.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.28	0.87	-1.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.01	0.92	-0.93
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.62	-0.31

Drawdowns

PLW vs. XLG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLW drawdown since its inception was -32.70%, smaller than the maximum XLG drawdown of -52.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLW and XLG.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLW	XLG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.70%	-52.39%	+19.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.45%	-12.41%	+6.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.58%	-20.70%	+9.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.30%	-28.02%	-0.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.70%	-30.46%	-2.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.38%	-1.44%	-20.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.65%	-7.64%	-2.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	3.30%	-1.36%

Volatility

PLW vs. XLG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco 1-30 Laddered Treasury ETF (PLW) is 2.04%, while Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG) has a volatility of 3.19%. This indicates that PLW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLW	XLG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.04%	3.19%	-1.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.53%	9.80%	-5.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.58%	13.33%	-6.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.86%	18.68%	-8.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.10%	18.84%	-9.74%

PLW vs. XLG - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLW has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than XLG's 0.20% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PLW vs. XLG - Dividend Comparison

PLW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.83%, more than XLG's 0.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLW Invesco 1-30 Laddered Treasury ETF	3.83%	3.75%	3.56%	2.87%	1.97%	1.15%	1.00%	1.96%	2.14%	2.02%	2.00%	2.14%
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF	0.60%	0.64%	0.72%	0.97%	1.34%	0.94%	1.25%	1.58%	2.00%	1.85%	2.00%	2.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLW and XLG in my portfolio?

PLW and XLG have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLW or XLG?

XLG has higher volatility (3.19%) compared to PLW (2.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLW dropped -32.70% vs XLG's -52.39%.

Which ETF is better, PLW or XLG?

On 10-year performance, XLG leads with 17.27% vs -0.10% for PLW. On fees, XLG is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, PLW has been the lower-risk option at 2.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PLW or XLG?

Over the 10-year period, XLG has performed better with a 17.27% return vs -0.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLW or XLG?

XLG is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for PLW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PLW or XLG?

PLW has the higher dividend yield at 3.83%, compared with 0.60% for XLG.

What is the main difference between PLW and XLG?

PLW is categorized as Government Bonds, while XLG is S&P 500. PLW tracks Ryan/NASDAQ 1-30 Year Treasury Laddered Index, while XLG tracks S&P 500 Top 50 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for PLW and 0.20% for XLG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 0.66), 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.