RBLD vs. XLI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RBLD (First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF) and XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both Industrials Equities funds - RBLD tracks the Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure Index - Benchmark TR Net while XLI tracks the Industrial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RBLD returned 8.40%/yr vs 13.99%/yr for XLI. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RBLD charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLI.

Performance

RBLD vs. XLI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) and Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RBLD achieves a 19.89% return, which is significantly higher than XLI's 12.52% return. Over the past 10 years, RBLD has underperformed XLI with an annualized return of 8.40%, while XLI has yielded a comparatively higher 13.99% annualized return.

RBLD

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 0.95%
• YTD: 19.89%
• 6M: 18.51%
• 1Y: 28.68%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: 10.76%
• 10Y*: 8.40%

XLI

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 12.52%
• 6M: 13.57%
• 1Y: 22.72%
• 3Y*: 21.72%
• 5Y*: 12.26%
• 10Y*: 13.99%

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

RBLD vs. XLI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	19.89%	13.99%	17.94%	19.36%	-9.87%	12.98%	0.51%	12.81%	-21.72%	22.95%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	12.52%	19.35%	17.31%	18.13%	-5.57%	21.08%	10.91%	29.08%	-13.25%	23.98%

Correlation

The correlation between RBLD and XLI is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2008	0.75

The correlation between RBLD and XLI shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (all time) to 0.90 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RBLD vs. XLI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RBLD	XLI
Industrials	41.6%	90.3%
Utilities	28.6%	5.2%
Energy	9.3%	-
Technology	9.2%	3.8%
Basic Materials	6.2%	-
Real Estate	5.0%	-
Communication Services	1.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-

Return for Risk

RBLD vs. XLI — Risk / Return Rank

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

RBLD

RBLD Risk / Return Rank: 68
RBLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
RBLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
RBLD Omega Ratio Rank: 61
RBLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
RBLD Martin Ratio Rank: 74

XLI

XLI Risk / Return Rank: 41
XLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
XLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
XLI Omega Ratio Rank: 38
XLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
XLI Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

RBLD vs. XLI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) and Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI). 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.

	RBLD	XLI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	1.49	+0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	2.18	+0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.26	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.01	1.87	+2.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.80	7.41	+6.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RBLD vs. XLI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RBLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the XLI Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RBLD and XLI, 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

	RBLD	XLI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	1.49	+0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.71	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.70	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.45	-0.07

Drawdowns

RBLD vs. XLI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RBLD drawdown since its inception was -50.07%, smaller than the maximum XLI drawdown of -62.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBLD and XLI.

Drawdown Indicators

	RBLD	XLI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.07%	-62.26%	+12.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.19%	-12.21%	+5.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.14%	-18.49%	-0.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.71%	-21.64%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.07%	-42.33%	-7.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.71%	-2.44%	+1.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.84%	-9.21%	-1.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	3.07%	-0.99%

Volatility

RBLD vs. XLI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) is 4.27%, while Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) has a volatility of 4.80%. This indicates that RBLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RBLD	XLI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.27%	4.80%	-0.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.39%	12.79%	-2.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.45%	15.38%	-1.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.82%	17.42%	-0.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.73%	19.98%	-1.25%

RBLD vs. XLI - Expense Ratio Comparison

RBLD has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than XLI's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

RBLD vs. XLI - Dividend Comparison

RBLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, less than XLI's 1.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	1.01%	1.19%	1.31%	1.16%	2.10%	1.45%	2.88%	1.84%	1.74%	1.49%	2.01%	1.17%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.18%	1.29%	1.44%	1.63%	1.63%	1.25%	1.55%	1.94%	2.15%	1.77%	2.07%	2.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RBLD and XLI in my portfolio?

RBLD and XLI have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RBLD or XLI?

XLI has higher volatility (4.80%) compared to RBLD (4.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RBLD dropped -50.07% vs XLI's -62.26%.

Which ETF is better, RBLD or XLI?

On 10-year performance, XLI leads with 13.99% vs 8.40% for RBLD. On fees, XLI is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, RBLD has been the lower-risk option at 4.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RBLD or XLI?

Over the 10-year period, XLI has performed better with a 13.99% return vs 8.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RBLD or XLI?

XLI is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for RBLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RBLD or XLI?

XLI has the higher dividend yield at 1.18%, compared with 1.01% for RBLD.

What is the main difference between RBLD and XLI?

RBLD tracks Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure Index - Benchmark TR Net, while XLI tracks Industrial Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for RBLD and 0.08% for XLI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RBLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.49), 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.