POWR vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

POWR (iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds. POWR is actively managed, while XLU is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, POWR returned 8.00%/yr vs 9.33%/yr for XLU. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. POWR charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

POWR vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, POWR achieves a 16.01% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 4.61% return. Over the past 10 years, POWR has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 8.00%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.33% annualized return.

POWR

• 1D: -2.23%
• 1M: -3.34%
• YTD: 16.01%
• 6M: 13.05%
• 1Y: 28.14%
• 3Y*: 11.45%
• 5Y*: 14.67%
• 10Y*: 8.00%

XLU

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: -2.98%
• YTD: 4.61%
• 6M: 3.91%
• 1Y: 12.86%
• 3Y*: 14.14%
• 5Y*: 9.56%
• 10Y*: 9.33%

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

POWR vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
POWR iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF	16.01%	10.81%	-1.30%	3.66%	42.54%	42.03%	-28.30%	8.44%	-11.74%	9.69%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	4.61%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between POWR and XLU is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2012	0.23

The correlation between POWR and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (10 years) to 0.39 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

POWR vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	POWR	XLU
Utilities	52.8%	100.0%
Industrials	26.6%	-
Energy	17.3%	-
Technology	2.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

POWR vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

POWR

POWR Risk / Return Rank: 60
POWR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
POWR Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
POWR Omega Ratio Rank: 47
POWR Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
POWR Martin Ratio Rank: 67

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 25
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.

	POWR	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	0.89	+0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	1.28	+1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.16	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.72	1.41	+3.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.82	3.12	+8.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

POWR vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POWR Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POWR and XLU, 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

	POWR	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69	0.89	+0.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.55	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31	0.49	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.18	0.40	-0.22

Drawdowns

POWR vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POWR drawdown since its inception was -65.98%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POWR and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	POWR	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.98%	-51.98%	-14.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.98%	-9.18%	+3.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.14%	-17.26%	-5.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.09%	-25.26%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.42%	-36.07%	-27.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.54%	-6.43%	+2.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.14%	-10.22%	-7.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.39%	4.13%	-1.74%

Volatility

POWR vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) has a higher volatility of 6.17% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.44%. This indicates that POWR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	POWR	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.17%	5.44%	+0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.56%	11.55%	+1.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.72%	14.49%	+2.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.09%	17.32%	+5.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.62%	19.26%	+6.36%

POWR vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

POWR has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

POWR vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

POWR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.82%, more than XLU's 2.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
POWR iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF	6.82%	7.56%	4.36%	4.16%	4.82%	3.94%	3.96%	5.71%	3.17%	3.11%	2.75%	3.42%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.68%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both POWR and XLU in my portfolio?

POWR and XLU have a correlation of 0.39, 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 XLU?

POWR has higher volatility (6.17%) compared to XLU (5.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POWR dropped -65.98% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, POWR or XLU?

On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 9.33% vs 8.00% for POWR. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, POWR or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, XLU has performed better with a 9.33% return vs 8.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, POWR or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for POWR.

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

POWR has the higher dividend yield at 6.82%, compared with 2.68% for XLU.

What is the main difference between POWR and XLU?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for POWR and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

POWR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 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.