SBAC vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SBAC (SBA Communications Corporation) is a stock, while XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, SBAC returned 8.40%/yr vs 9.20%/yr for XLU. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

SBAC vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC) 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, SBAC achieves a 7.24% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 5.04% return. Over the past 10 years, SBAC has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 8.40%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.20% annualized return.

SBAC

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: -0.79%
• YTD: 7.24%
• 6M: 8.23%
• 1Y: -8.09%
• 3Y*: -1.81%
• 5Y*: -6.94%
• 10Y*: 8.40%

XLU

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: -0.31%
• YTD: 5.04%
• 6M: 5.48%
• 1Y: 11.85%
• 3Y*: 13.79%
• 5Y*: 9.41%
• 10Y*: 9.20%

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

SBAC vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SBAC SBA Communications Corporation	7.24%	-3.13%	-18.18%	-8.15%	-27.30%	38.95%	17.81%	49.30%	-0.90%	58.20%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	5.04%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between SBAC and XLU is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 1999	0.33

The correlation between SBAC and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.33 (all time) to 0.52 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SBAC vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SBAC

SBAC Risk / Return Rank: 31
SBAC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
SBAC Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
SBAC Omega Ratio Rank: 28
SBAC Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
SBAC Martin Ratio Rank: 34

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 26
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

SBAC vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC) 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.

	SBAC	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.25	0.81	-1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.18	1.18	-1.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.15	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.27	1.30	-1.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.51	2.80	-3.31

SBAC vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SBAC Sharpe Ratio is -0.25, which is lower than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SBAC 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

SBAC vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SBAC drawdown since its inception was -99.65%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SBAC and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SBAC	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.65%	-51.98%	-47.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.80%	-9.18%	-20.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.21%	-17.26%	-14.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.50%	-25.26%	-29.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.50%	-36.07%	-18.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-43.24%	-6.05%	-37.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.39%	-10.22%	-25.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.94%	4.25%	+11.69%

Volatility

SBAC vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC) has a higher volatility of 10.25% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.59%. This indicates that SBAC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SBAC	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.25%	5.59%	+4.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.71%	11.68%	+16.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.49%	14.66%	+17.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.34%	17.34%	+12.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.12%	19.27%	+8.85%

Dividends

SBAC vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

SBAC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.30%, less than XLU's 2.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SBAC SBA Communications Corporation	2.30%	2.30%	1.92%	1.34%	1.01%	0.60%	0.66%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.67%	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 SBAC and XLU in my portfolio?

SBAC and XLU have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SBAC or XLU?

SBAC has higher volatility (10.25%) compared to XLU (5.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SBAC dropped -99.65% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.81 vs -0.25), 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.