RCTR vs. XLE

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

RCTR (First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - RCTR tracks the Bloomberg Nuclear Power Index while XLE tracks the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. At a correlation of -0.09, they often move in opposite directions. RCTR charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

RCTR vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF (RCTR) 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, RCTR achieves a 3.29% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 24.89% return.

RCTR

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: -1.11%
• 6M: -4.82%
• YTD: 3.29%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLE

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: -2.88%
• 6M: 19.65%
• YTD: 24.89%
• 1Y: 27.45%
• 3Y*: 13.38%
• 5Y*: 20.12%
• 10Y*: 9.05%

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

RCTR vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RCTR First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF	3.29%	6.65%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	24.89%	3.73%

Correlation

The correlation between RCTR and XLE is -0.09, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2025	-0.09

Return for Risk

RCTR vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

RCTR

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 45
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 43
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

RCTR vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF (RCTR) 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.

	RCTR	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.35	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.86	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.23	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.88	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	5.10	—

Drawdowns

RCTR vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RCTR drawdown since its inception was -16.86%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RCTR and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	RCTR	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.86%	-71.26%	+54.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-14.98%	—
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	-14.03%	-11.32%	-2.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.46%	-17.96%	+12.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.50%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	RCTR	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	6.80%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	16.70%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.75%	20.83%	+5.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.75%	25.91%	+0.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.75%	29.57%	-2.82%

RCTR vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

RCTR has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

RCTR vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

RCTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.63%, less than XLE's 2.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RCTR First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF	0.63%	0.36%	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	2.75%	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 RCTR and XLE in my portfolio?

RCTR and XLE have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, RCTR or XLE?

On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, RCTR or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for RCTR.

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

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.75%, compared with 0.63% for RCTR.

What is the main difference between RCTR and XLE?

RCTR tracks Bloomberg Nuclear Power Index, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for RCTR and 0.08% for XLE.