QS vs. XLE

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

QS (QuantumScape Corporation) 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 5 years, QS returned -23.72%/yr vs 22.95%/yr for XLE. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

QS vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in QuantumScape Corporation (QS) 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, QS achieves a -43.33% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 29.29% return.

QS

• 1D: -8.16%
• 1M: -14.67%
• 6M: -43.11%
• YTD: -43.33%
• 1Y: -47.97%
• 3Y*: -16.85%
• 5Y*: -23.72%
• 10Y*: —

XLE

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: 3.74%
• 6M: 21.42%
• YTD: 29.29%
• 1Y: 36.53%
• 3Y*: 15.59%
• 5Y*: 22.95%
• 10Y*: 9.47%

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

QS vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QS QuantumScape Corporation	-43.33%	100.77%	-25.32%	22.57%	-74.45%	-73.72%	757.36%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	29.29%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	2.22%

Correlation

The correlation between QS and XLE is -0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 17, 2020	0.15

The correlation between QS and XLE shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (1 year) to 0.16 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QS vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

QS

QS Risk / Return Rank: 21
QS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
QS Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
QS Omega Ratio Rank: 24
QS Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
QS Martin Ratio Rank: 22

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 59
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

QS vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for QuantumScape Corporation (QS) 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.

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.

	QS	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.53	1.75	-2.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.43	2.32	-2.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.95	1.29	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.71	2.45	-3.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.02	6.58	-7.59

QS vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QS Sharpe Ratio is -0.53, which is lower than the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QS 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.

Drawdowns

QS vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QS drawdown since its inception was -97.36%, which is greater than XLE's maximum drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QS and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	QS	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.36%	-71.26%	-26.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-67.98%	-14.98%	-53.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-73.93%	-20.14%	-53.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-91.45%	-26.04%	-65.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-66.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-95.52%	-8.20%	-87.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-85.66%	-17.95%	-67.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	47.28%	5.57%	+41.71%

Volatility

QS vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

QuantumScape Corporation (QS) has a higher volatility of 24.44% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) at 6.10%. This indicates that QS'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

	QS	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	24.44%	6.10%	+18.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	52.27%	16.65%	+35.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	90.88%	20.96%	+69.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	86.27%	25.87%	+60.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	105.58%	29.58%	+76.00%

Dividends

QS vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

QS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QS QuantumScape Corporation	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.66%	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 QS and XLE in my portfolio?

QS and XLE have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QS or XLE?

QS has higher volatility (24.44%) compared to XLE (6.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QS dropped -97.36% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs -0.53), 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.