PSX vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PSX (Phillips 66) is a stock, while XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, PSX returned 12.75%/yr vs 10.08%/yr for XLE. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

PSX vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Phillips 66 (PSX) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSX achieves a 43.67% return, which is significantly higher than XLE's 30.48% return. Over the past 10 years, PSX has outperformed XLE with an annualized return of 12.75%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively lower 10.08% annualized return.

PSX

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: 4.37%
• YTD: 43.67%
• 6M: 34.77%
• 1Y: 65.22%
• 3Y*: 27.76%
• 5Y*: 19.84%
• 10Y*: 12.75%

XLE

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: -1.51%
• YTD: 30.48%
• 6M: 30.54%
• 1Y: 44.84%
• 3Y*: 16.95%
• 5Y*: 20.29%
• 10Y*: 10.08%

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

PSX vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSX Phillips 66	43.67%	17.51%	-11.63%	33.07%	49.58%	8.51%	-33.85%	33.97%	-12.28%	20.94%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	30.48%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between PSX and XLE is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2012	0.74

The correlation between PSX and XLE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PSX vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSX

PSX Risk / Return Rank: 87
PSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
PSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
PSX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
PSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
PSX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 64
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

PSX vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Phillips 66 (PSX) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

	PSX	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.20	+0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	2.83	+0.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.35	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.84	3.88	-0.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.14	11.35	-0.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSX vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSX and XLE, 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

	PSX	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	2.20	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.78	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.34	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.31	+0.20

Drawdowns

PSX vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSX drawdown since its inception was -64.21%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSX and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSX	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.21%	-71.26%	+7.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.28%	-12.05%	-5.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-44.37%	-20.14%	-24.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.37%	-26.04%	-18.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-64.21%	-66.81%	+2.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.33%	-7.35%	+5.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.75%	-17.98%	+3.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.96%	4.12%	+1.84%

Volatility

PSX vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

Phillips 66 (PSX) has a higher volatility of 9.68% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) at 8.19%. This indicates that PSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSX	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.68%	8.19%	+1.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.73%	16.56%	+7.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.65%	20.53%	+9.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.22%	26.01%	+7.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.32%	29.59%	+5.73%

Dividends

PSX vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

PSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.71%, more than XLE's 2.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSX Phillips 66	2.71%	3.68%	3.95%	3.15%	3.68%	5.00%	5.15%	3.14%	3.60%	2.70%	2.84%	2.67%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.57%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSX and XLE in my portfolio?

PSX and XLE have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSX or XLE?

PSX has higher volatility (9.68%) compared to XLE (8.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSX dropped -64.21% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 2.20), 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.