QWLD vs. XLU

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QWLD (SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QWLD is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Factor Mix A-Series (USD), while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QWLD returned 11.57%/yr vs 8.92%/yr for XLU. Their 0.35 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. QWLD charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

QWLD vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF (QWLD) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QWLD achieves a 9.39% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 5.28% return. Over the past 10 years, QWLD has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 11.57%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 8.92% annualized return.

QWLD

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 1.63%
• 6M: 6.46%
• YTD: 9.39%
• 1Y: 19.11%
• 3Y*: 15.49%
• 5Y*: 10.03%
• 10Y*: 11.57%
• ALL TIME*: 10.49%

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%

*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)
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	$231.12K	$297.84K	$1.04M
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	$827.32M	$819.54M	$911.53M

QWLD vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	9.39%	17.93%	14.44%	19.59%	-13.30%	21.57%	10.24%	27.59%	-7.02%	22.44%
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 QWLD and XLU is 0.27, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.45
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2014	0.35

The correlation between QWLD and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (1 year) to 0.45 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QWLD vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QWLD	XLU
Technology	24.9%	-
Financial Services	16.5%	-
Healthcare	13.2%	-
Industrials	10.9%	-
Communication Services	9.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.3%	-
Utilities	3.8%	100.0%
Energy	3.4%	-
Basic Materials	2.5%	-
Real Estate	1.0%	-

Return for Risk

QWLD vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

QWLD

QWLD Risk / Return Rank: 80
QWLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QWLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
QWLD Omega Ratio Rank: 82
QWLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QWLD Martin Ratio Rank: 81

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 21
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

QWLD vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF (QWLD) 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.

	QWLD	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	0.43	+1.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	0.69	+2.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.08	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	0.70	+1.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.67	1.44	+9.24

QWLD vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QWLD Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QWLD and XLU, 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

QWLD vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QWLD drawdown since its inception was -31.89%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QWLD and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	QWLD	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.89%	-51.98%	+20.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.66%	-9.18%	+1.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.40%	-13.15%	+0.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.84%	-25.26%	+2.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.89%	-36.07%	+4.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-5.83%	+5.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.66%	-10.19%	+6.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.75%	4.48%	-2.73%

Volatility

QWLD vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF (QWLD) is 2.30%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 4.59%. This indicates that QWLD 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.

Volatility by Period

	QWLD	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.30%	4.59%	-2.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.73%	12.01%	-4.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.71%	15.00%	-5.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.51%	17.34%	-3.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.12%	19.30%	-4.18%

QWLD vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

QWLD has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

QWLD vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

QWLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.79%, less than XLU's 2.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	1.79%	1.85%	1.74%	1.78%	2.02%	1.77%	1.77%	2.13%	2.33%	2.73%	2.22%	3.42%
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

Can I hold both QWLD and XLU in my portfolio?

QWLD and XLU have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QWLD or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to QWLD (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QWLD dropped -31.89% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, QWLD or XLU?

On 10-year performance, QWLD leads with 11.57% vs 8.92% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, QWLD has been the lower-risk option at 2.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QWLD or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, QWLD has performed better with a 11.57% return vs 8.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QWLD or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for QWLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QWLD or XLU?

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.70%, compared with 1.79% for QWLD.

What is the main difference between QWLD and XLU?

QWLD is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. QWLD tracks MSCI World Factor Mix A-Series (USD), while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for QWLD and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QWLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 0.43), 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.