QTUM vs. XLKI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

QTUM (Defiance Quantum ETF) and XLKI (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both Technology Equities funds. QTUM is passively managed, while XLKI is actively managed. Over the past year, QTUM returned 63.01% vs 26.30% for XLKI. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. QTUM charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLKI.

Performance

QTUM vs. XLKI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLKI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QTUM achieves a 33.62% return, which is significantly higher than XLKI's 12.19% return.

QTUM

• 1D: 3.36%
• 1M: -5.82%
• 6M: 25.52%
• YTD: 33.62%
• 1Y: 63.01%
• 3Y*: 42.90%
• 5Y*: 25.08%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 26.11%

XLKI

• 1D: 1.38%
• 1M: 0.31%
• 6M: 9.72%
• YTD: 12.19%
• 1Y: 26.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 23.17%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	$54.81M	$58.16M	$111.60M
XLKI State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$526.89K	$421.64K	$346.32K

QTUM vs. XLKI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	33.62%	18.09%
XLKI State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	12.19%	10.02%

Correlation

The correlation between QTUM and XLKI is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.86

The correlation between QTUM and XLKI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

QTUM vs. XLKI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTUM	XLKI
Technology	81.4%	99.2%
Industrials	8.9%	-
Communication Services	6.6%	0.8%
Consumer Cyclical	2.0%	-
Healthcare	1.2%	-
Financial Services	0.0%	99.9%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

QTUM vs. XLKI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

QTUM

QTUM Risk / Return Rank: 80
QTUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
QTUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
QTUM Omega Ratio Rank: 76
QTUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
QTUM Martin Ratio Rank: 80

XLKI

XLKI Risk / Return Rank: 57
XLKI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
XLKI Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
XLKI Omega Ratio Rank: 53
XLKI Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
XLKI Martin Ratio Rank: 66

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

QTUM vs. XLKI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLKI). 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.

	QTUM	XLKI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	1.33	+0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	1.84	+0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.25	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.94	2.36	+0.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.67	8.25	+2.42

QTUM vs. XLKI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTUM Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is higher than the XLKI Sharpe Ratio of 1.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTUM and XLKI, 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

QTUM vs. XLKI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTUM drawdown since its inception was -38.45%, which is greater than XLKI's maximum drawdown of -11.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTUM and XLKI.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTUM	XLKI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.45%	-11.21%	-27.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.51%	-11.21%	-10.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.39%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.45%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.35%	-5.44%	-7.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.27%	-2.17%	-6.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.92%	3.20%	+2.72%

Volatility

QTUM vs. XLKI - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) has a higher volatility of 11.63% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLKI) at 8.46%. This indicates that QTUM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLKI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTUM	XLKI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.63%	8.46%	+3.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.50%	17.52%	+8.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.77%	19.95%	+11.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.74%	19.92%	+7.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.70%	19.92%	+7.78%

QTUM vs. XLKI - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTUM has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than XLKI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTUM vs. XLKI - Dividend Comparison

QTUM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.81%, less than XLKI's 19.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	0.81%	1.01%	0.61%	0.81%	1.46%	0.48%	0.42%	0.61%	0.21%
XLKI State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	19.68%	8.52%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTUM and XLKI in my portfolio?

QTUM and XLKI have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QTUM or XLKI?

QTUM has higher volatility (11.63%) compared to XLKI (8.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTUM dropped -38.45% vs XLKI's -11.21%.

Which ETF is better, QTUM or XLKI?

On 1-year performance, QTUM leads with 63.01% vs 26.30% for XLKI. On fees, XLKI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XLKI has been the lower-risk option at 8.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTUM or XLKI?

Over the 1-year period, QTUM has performed better with a 63.01% return vs 26.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTUM or XLKI?

XLKI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for QTUM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QTUM or XLKI?

XLKI has the higher dividend yield at 19.68%, compared with 0.81% for QTUM.

What is the main difference between QTUM and XLKI?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for QTUM and 0.35% for XLKI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.33), 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.