PSK vs. XLU
PSK (SPDR ICE Preferred Securities ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSK is a Preferred Stock fund tracking the PSK-US - ICE Exchange-Listed Fixed& Adjustable Rate Preferred Securities Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PSK returned 1.86%/yr vs 8.92%/yr for XLU. Their 0.29 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. PSK charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.
Performance
PSK vs. XLU - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PSK achieves a -1.10% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 5.28% return. Over the past 10 years, PSK has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 1.86%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 8.92% annualized return.
PSK
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- -0.82%
- 6M
- -2.99%
- YTD
- -1.10%
- 1Y
- -0.14%
- 3Y*
- 3.27%
- 5Y*
- -1.17%
- 10Y*
- 1.86%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.49%
XLU
- 1D
- -0.69%
- 1M
- -3.08%
- 6M
- 3.92%
- YTD
- 5.28%
- 1Y
- 6.26%
- 3Y*
- 13.58%
- 5Y*
- 9.34%
- 10Y*
- 8.92%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.66%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.42M | $3.24M | $2.65M | |
| $827.32M | $819.54M | $911.53M |
PSK vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PSK SPDR ICE Preferred Securities ETF | -1.10% | 2.69% | 4.81% | 8.91% | -18.86% | 1.57% | 6.37% | 17.59% | -4.54% | 12.44% |
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | 5.28% | 16.03% | 23.31% | -7.18% | 1.44% | 17.70% | 0.51% | 25.93% | 3.94% | 12.05% |
Correlation
The correlation between PSK and XLU is 0.12, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.12 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.28 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.30 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.28 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 17, 2009 | 0.29 |
The correlation between PSK and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (1 year) to 0.30 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
PSK vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank
PSK
XLU
PSK vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR ICE Preferred Securities ETF (PSK) 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.
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.
| PSK | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.39 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.59 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.08 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.04 | 0.70 | -0.66 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.08 | 1.44 | -1.36 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
PSK vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PSK drawdown since its inception was -30.10%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSK and XLU.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| PSK | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.10% | -51.98% | +21.88% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.50% | -9.18% | +3.68% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.30% | -13.15% | +2.85% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.23% | -25.26% | +3.03% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -30.10% | -36.07% | +5.97% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.47% | -5.83% | -0.64% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.00% | -10.19% | +6.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.05% | 4.48% | -1.43% |
Volatility
PSK vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR ICE Preferred Securities ETF (PSK) is 1.35%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 4.59%. This indicates that PSK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| PSK | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.35% | 4.59% | -3.24% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.28% | 12.01% | -7.73% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.90% | 15.00% | -9.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.75% | 17.34% | -6.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.88% | 19.30% | -7.42% |
PSK vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison
PSK has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
PSK vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison
PSK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.13%, more than XLU's 2.70% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PSK SPDR ICE Preferred Securities ETF | 6.54% | 6.82% | 6.55% | 6.44% | 6.55% | 5.03% | 5.08% | 5.44% | 6.47% | 6.91% | 5.92% | 5.35% |
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | 2.70% | 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
PSK and XLU have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XLU has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to PSK (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSK dropped -30.10% vs XLU's -51.98%.
On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 8.92% vs 1.86% for PSK. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, PSK has been the lower-risk option at 1.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, XLU has performed better with a 8.92% return vs 1.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for PSK.
PSK has the higher dividend yield at 6.54%, compared with 2.70% for XLU.
PSK is categorized as Preferred Stock, while XLU is Utilities Equities. PSK tracks PSK-US - ICE Exchange-Listed Fixed& Adjustable Rate Preferred Securities Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for PSK and 0.08% for XLU.
XLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.43 vs 0.04), 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.
Find the right allocation for PSK and XLU
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer