PRIM vs. XAR

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

PRIM (Primoris Services Corporation) 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 10 years, PRIM returned 18.47%/yr vs 18.45%/yr for XAR. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

PRIM vs. XAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) 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, PRIM achieves a -20.49% return, which is significantly lower than XAR's 16.10% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PRIM having a 18.47% annualized return and XAR not far behind at 18.45%.

PRIM

• 1D: 4.39%
• 1M: -12.95%
• YTD: -20.49%
• 6M: -21.78%
• 1Y: 33.24%
• 3Y*: 49.59%
• 5Y*: 25.74%
• 10Y*: 18.47%

XAR

• 1D: -1.55%
• 1M: 7.38%
• 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)

PRIM vs. XAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRIM Primoris Services Corporation	-20.49%	63.08%	131.14%	52.60%	-7.46%	-12.38%	25.81%	17.62%	-28.93%	20.39%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	16.10%	46.15%	23.32%	23.79%	-5.02%	2.31%	6.18%	39.33%	-4.58%	33.00%

Correlation

The correlation between PRIM and XAR is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2011	0.51

The correlation between PRIM and XAR shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (1 year) to 0.58 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PRIM vs. XAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRIM

PRIM Risk / Return Rank: 62
PRIM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
PRIM Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
PRIM Omega Ratio Rank: 70
PRIM Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
PRIM Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

PRIM vs. XAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) 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.

	PRIM	XAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.47	1.50	-1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.04	2.20	-1.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.25	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.64	2.43	-1.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.08	6.81	-4.74

PRIM vs. XAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRIM Sharpe Ratio is 0.47, which is lower than the XAR Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRIM 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

PRIM vs. XAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRIM drawdown since its inception was -68.51%, which is greater than XAR's maximum drawdown of -46.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRIM and XAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRIM	XAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.51%	-46.37%	-22.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-53.74%	-17.22%	-36.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-53.74%	-19.73%	-34.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.74%	-32.40%	-21.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-65.73%	-46.37%	-19.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-51.38%	-4.32%	-47.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.76%	-6.78%	-15.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.52%	6.13%	+10.39%

Volatility

PRIM vs. XAR - Volatility Comparison

Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) has a higher volatility of 25.85% compared to SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) at 11.46%. This indicates that PRIM'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

	PRIM	XAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.85%	11.46%	+14.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	82.18%	23.56%	+58.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	73.27%	27.85%	+45.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	48.18%	23.66%	+24.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	45.40%	24.74%	+20.66%

Dividends

PRIM vs. XAR - Dividend Comparison

PRIM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%, more than XAR's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRIM Primoris Services Corporation	0.32%	0.26%	0.34%	0.72%	1.09%	1.00%	0.87%	1.08%	1.25%	0.83%	0.97%	0.93%
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 PRIM and XAR in my portfolio?

PRIM and XAR have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRIM or XAR?

PRIM has higher volatility (25.85%) compared to XAR (11.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRIM dropped -68.51% vs XAR's -46.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 0.47), 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.