RELX vs. XSD

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

RELX (RELX PLC) is a stock, while XSD (SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF) is Semiconductors fund tracking the S&P Semiconductor Select Industry Index. Over the past 10 years, RELX returned 8.48%/yr vs 27.41%/yr for XSD. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

RELX vs. XSD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in RELX PLC (RELX) and SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RELX achieves a -14.19% return, which is significantly lower than XSD's 57.73% return. Over the past 10 years, RELX has underperformed XSD with an annualized return of 8.48%, while XSD has yielded a comparatively higher 27.41% annualized return.

RELX

• 1D: 1.52%
• 1M: 3.72%
• 6M: -17.12%
• YTD: -14.19%
• 1Y: -35.12%
• 3Y*: 2.64%
• 5Y*: 5.83%
• 10Y*: 8.48%

XSD

• 1D: -5.63%
• 1M: -14.92%
• 6M: 44.09%
• YTD: 57.73%
• 1Y: 91.59%
• 3Y*: 30.16%
• 5Y*: 23.82%
• 10Y*: 27.41%

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

RELX vs. XSD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RELX RELX PLC	-14.19%	-9.60%	16.59%	46.09%	-13.06%	35.47%	0.27%	25.28%	-11.20%	34.97%
XSD SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF	57.73%	29.85%	10.75%	34.87%	-30.92%	42.54%	61.95%	64.66%	-6.35%	25.21%

Correlation

The correlation between RELX and XSD is -0.06, 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2006	0.38

The correlation between RELX and XSD shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (1 year) to 0.38 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RELX vs. XSD — Risk / Return Rank

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

RELX

RELX Risk / Return Rank: 9
RELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
RELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
RELX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
RELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
RELX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

XSD

XSD Risk / Return Rank: 79
XSD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
XSD Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
XSD Omega Ratio Rank: 70
XSD Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
XSD Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

RELX vs. XSD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for RELX PLC (RELX) and SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD). 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.

	RELX	XSD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.12	2.11	-3.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.59	2.53	-4.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.80	1.33	-0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.73	4.19	-4.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.24	13.90	-15.14

RELX vs. XSD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RELX Sharpe Ratio is -1.12, which is lower than the XSD Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RELX and XSD, 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

RELX vs. XSD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RELX drawdown since its inception was -49.91%, smaller than the maximum XSD drawdown of -64.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RELX and XSD.

Drawdown Indicators

	RELX	XSD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.91%	-64.56%	+14.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-48.09%	-21.97%	-26.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-49.91%	-41.25%	-8.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.91%	-42.27%	-7.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.91%	-42.27%	-7.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.35%	-21.97%	-15.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.37%	-13.72%	+1.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	28.50%	6.61%	+21.89%

Volatility

RELX vs. XSD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for RELX PLC (RELX) is 7.72%, while SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) has a volatility of 20.07%. This indicates that RELX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XSD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RELX	XSD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.72%	20.07%	-12.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.01%	36.94%	-8.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.40%	43.56%	-12.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.05%	39.77%	-16.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.42%	35.71%	-13.29%

Dividends

RELX vs. XSD - Dividend Comparison

RELX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%, more than XSD's 0.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RELX RELX PLC	2.70%	2.03%	1.68%	1.73%	2.42%	2.05%	2.39%	1.57%	2.68%	2.05%	2.55%	2.28%
XSD SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF	0.15%	0.26%	0.20%	0.31%	0.44%	0.10%	0.26%	0.51%	1.16%	0.59%	0.64%	0.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RELX and XSD in my portfolio?

RELX and XSD have a correlation of -0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RELX or XSD?

XSD has higher volatility (20.07%) compared to RELX (7.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RELX dropped -49.91% vs XSD's -64.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XSD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs -1.12), 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.