POWR vs. GII

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

POWR (iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF) and GII (SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds - POWR tracks the S&P U.S. Power Infrastructure Select Index while GII tracks the S&P Global Infrastructure. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, POWR returned 7.81%/yr vs 8.24%/yr for GII. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.40% expense ratio.

Performance

POWR vs. GII - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) and SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF (GII). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, POWR achieves a 14.64% return, which is significantly higher than GII's 10.33% return. Over the past 10 years, POWR has underperformed GII with an annualized return of 7.81%, while GII has yielded a comparatively higher 8.24% annualized return.

POWR

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: -0.82%
• 6M: 14.25%
• YTD: 14.64%
• 1Y: 14.88%
• 3Y*: 10.27%
• 5Y*: 15.77%
• 10Y*: 7.81%

GII

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.90%
• 6M: 9.40%
• YTD: 10.33%
• 1Y: 17.28%
• 3Y*: 15.84%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 10Y*: 8.24%

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

POWR vs. GII - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
POWR iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF	14.64%	10.81%	-1.30%	3.66%	42.54%	42.03%	-28.30%	8.44%	-11.74%	9.69%
GII SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF	10.33%	21.79%	14.30%	5.90%	-0.54%	11.39%	-6.81%	26.32%	-10.08%	19.07%

Correlation

The correlation between POWR and GII is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2012	0.54

The correlation between POWR and GII has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.46 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

POWR vs. GII - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	POWR	GII
Utilities	56.4%	26.2%
Industrials	25.2%	27.5%
Energy	17.8%	20.4%
Technology	0.5%	2.5%
Basic Materials	0.2%	-
Communication Services	-	0.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	4.7%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

POWR vs. GII — Risk / Return Rank

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

POWR

POWR Risk / Return Rank: 37
POWR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
POWR Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
POWR Omega Ratio Rank: 28
POWR Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
POWR Martin Ratio Rank: 45

GII

GII Risk / Return Rank: 61
GII Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
GII Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
GII Omega Ratio Rank: 58
GII Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
GII Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

POWR vs. GII - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) and SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF (GII). 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.

	POWR	GII	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.89	1.58	-0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	2.21	-0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.28	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.11	2.92	-0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.94	8.07	-2.13

POWR vs. GII - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POWR Sharpe Ratio is 0.89, which is lower than the GII Sharpe Ratio of 1.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POWR and GII, 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

POWR vs. GII - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POWR drawdown since its inception was -65.98%, which is greater than GII's maximum drawdown of -50.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POWR and GII.

Drawdown Indicators

	POWR	GII	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.98%	-50.98%	-15.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.09%	-5.94%	-1.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.14%	-14.29%	-8.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.09%	-20.67%	-4.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.42%	-42.84%	-20.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.68%	-2.25%	-2.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.04%	-11.47%	-6.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	2.14%	+0.40%

Volatility

POWR vs. GII - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) has a higher volatility of 5.51% compared to SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF (GII) at 3.37%. This indicates that POWR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GII based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	POWR	GII	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.51%	3.37%	+2.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.94%	9.19%	+3.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.87%	10.99%	+5.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.03%	14.09%	+8.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.49%	17.04%	+8.45%

POWR vs. GII - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both POWR and GII have an expense ratio of 0.40%.

Dividends

POWR vs. GII - Dividend Comparison

POWR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.62%, more than GII's 2.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GII SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF	2.65%	3.17%	3.23%	3.70%	3.07%	2.37%	2.66%	3.39%	3.31%	3.38%	3.11%	3.54%
POWR iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF	5.62%	7.56%	4.36%	4.16%	4.82%	3.94%	3.96%	5.71%	3.17%	3.11%	2.75%	3.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both POWR and GII in my portfolio?

POWR and GII have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, POWR or GII?

POWR has higher volatility (5.51%) compared to GII (3.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POWR dropped -65.98% vs GII's -50.98%.

Which ETF is better, POWR or GII?

On 10-year performance, GII leads with 8.24% vs 7.81% for POWR. Both ETFs have the same 0.40% expense ratio. On volatility, GII has been the lower-risk option at 3.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, POWR or GII?

Over the 10-year period, GII has performed better with a 8.24% return vs 7.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, POWR or GII?

POWR and GII have the same expense ratio: 0.40% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, POWR or GII?

POWR has the higher dividend yield at 5.62%, compared with 2.65% for GII.

What is the main difference between POWR and GII?

POWR tracks S&P U.S. Power Infrastructure Select Index, while GII tracks S&P Global Infrastructure. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GII currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 vs 0.89), 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.