QTOP vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QTOP (iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QTOP is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Top 30 Index, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QTOP returned 45.99% vs 45.00% for XLE. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QTOP charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

QTOP vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) 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, QTOP achieves a 22.71% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 32.17% return.

QTOP

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 10.74%
• YTD: 22.71%
• 6M: 21.95%
• 1Y: 45.99%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLE

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: -1.14%
• YTD: 32.17%
• 6M: 29.80%
• 1Y: 45.00%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 20.44%
• 10Y*: 10.22%

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

QTOP vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QTOP iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF	22.71%	22.19%	5.80%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	32.17%	7.88%	-3.81%

Correlation

The correlation between QTOP and XLE is -0.18, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2024	0.02

The correlation between QTOP and XLE shifts across timeframes, from -0.18 (1 year) to 0.02 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QTOP vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTOP	XLE
Technology	57.7%	-
Communication Services	17.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	8.5%	-
Healthcare	3.3%	-
Basic Materials	1.5%	-
Industrials	0.9%	-
Energy	-	100.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

QTOP vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTOP

QTOP Risk / Return Rank: 74
QTOP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QTOP Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
QTOP Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QTOP Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
QTOP Martin Ratio Rank: 70

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 63
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 56
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

QTOP vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) 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.

	QTOP	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.66	2.21	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.44	2.84	+0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.35	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.59	3.75	-0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.20	10.92	+2.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QTOP vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTOP Sharpe Ratio is 2.66, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTOP 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

	QTOP	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.66	2.21	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.35	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.48	0.31	+1.17

Drawdowns

QTOP vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTOP drawdown since its inception was -23.28%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTOP and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTOP	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.28%	-71.26%	+47.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.88%	-12.05%	-0.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-20.14%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.04%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-66.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-6.15%	+5.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.82%	-17.98%	+14.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	4.14%	-0.65%

Volatility

QTOP vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) is 5.23%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 8.25%. This indicates that QTOP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTOP	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.23%	8.25%	-3.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.43%	16.58%	-3.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.40%	20.53%	-3.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.70%	26.02%	-3.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.70%	29.59%	-6.89%

QTOP vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTOP has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

QTOP vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

QTOP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%, less than XLE's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QTOP iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF	0.32%	0.38%	0.11%	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	2.54%	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 QTOP and XLE in my portfolio?

QTOP and XLE have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QTOP or XLE?

XLE has higher volatility (8.25%) compared to QTOP (5.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTOP dropped -23.28% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, QTOP or XLE?

On 1-year performance, QTOP leads with 45.99% vs 45.00% for XLE. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, QTOP has been the lower-risk option at 5.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTOP or XLE?

Over the 1-year period, QTOP has performed better with a 45.99% return vs 45.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTOP or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for QTOP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QTOP or XLE?

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.54%, compared with 0.32% for QTOP.

What is the main difference between QTOP and XLE?

QTOP is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while XLE is Energy Equities. QTOP tracks Nasdaq-100 Top 30 Index, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for QTOP and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTOP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 2.21), 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.