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SDOG vs. XLU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SDOG vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SDOG (ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SDOG is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S-Network Sector Dividend Dogs Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SDOG returned 9.99%/yr vs 9.20%/yr for XLU. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SDOG charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

SDOG vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDOG achieves a 17.13% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 5.04% return. Over the past 10 years, SDOG has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 9.99%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.20% annualized return.

SDOG

1D
1.26%
1M
5.43%
YTD
17.13%
6M
16.28%
1Y
27.16%
3Y*
16.38%
5Y*
9.08%
10Y*
9.99%

XLU

1D
1.09%
1M
-0.82%
YTD
5.04%
6M
5.48%
1Y
12.50%
3Y*
13.79%
5Y*
9.41%
10Y*
9.20%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SDOG vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SDOG
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF		17.13%11.12%14.70%4.19%-0.20%24.59%-0.35%24.02%-11.43%12.65%
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 SDOG and XLU is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.40

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.52

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.53

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.44

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2012

0.46

The correlation between SDOG and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (1 year) to 0.53 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SDOG vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SDOG
XLU

Consumer Cyclical

16.3%

-

Technology

16.2%

-

Financial Services

10.6%

-

Healthcare

9.8%

-

Consumer Defensive

9.5%

-

Utilities

9.2%
100.0%

Energy

9.1%

-

Communication Services

8.4%

-

Industrials

7.5%

-

Basic Materials

3.5%

-

Real Estate

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

SDOG
16.3%
XLU

-

Technology

SDOG
16.2%
XLU

-

Financial Services

SDOG
10.6%
XLU

-

Healthcare

SDOG
9.8%
XLU

-

Consumer Defensive

SDOG
9.5%
XLU

-

Utilities

SDOG
9.2%
XLU
100.0%

Energy

SDOG
9.1%
XLU

-

Communication Services

SDOG
8.4%
XLU

-

Industrials

SDOG
7.5%
XLU

-

Basic Materials

SDOG
3.5%
XLU

-

Real Estate

SDOG

-

XLU

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF

Often compared with SDOG:
SDOG vs. SCHDSDOG vs. SPYSDOG vs. CDLSDOG vs. SDYSDOG vs. VIGSDOG vs. VOOSDOG vs. DIVO
Often compared with XLU:
XLU vs. VPUXLU vs. XLEXLU vs. XLPXLU vs. SPYXLU vs. FUTYXLU vs. UTESXLU vs. IDU

Return for Risk

SDOG vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SDOG
SDOG Risk / Return Rank: 8383
Overall Rank
SDOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8383
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SDOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 8787
Sortino Ratio Rank
SDOG Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
SDOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 8686
Calmar Ratio Rank
SDOG Martin Ratio Rank: 8080
Martin Ratio Rank
XLU
XLU Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2626
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 2424
Omega Ratio Rank
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 3030
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 2424
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SDOG vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) 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.

SDOGXLUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.30
0.81

+1.48

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.45
1.18

+2.27

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.40

1.15

+0.25

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.25

1.30

+2.95

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.63

2.80

+10.83

SDOG vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDOG Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDOG 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.

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Drawdowns

SDOG vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDOG drawdown since its inception was -43.56%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDOG and XLU.

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Drawdown Indicators

SDOGXLUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-43.56%

-51.98%

+8.42%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-6.24%

-9.18%

+2.94%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.00%

-17.26%

+1.26%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-19.84%

-25.26%

+5.42%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-43.56%

-36.07%

-7.49%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-6.05%

+6.05%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.91%

-10.22%

+5.31%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.94%

4.25%

-2.31%

Volatility

SDOG vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) is 3.34%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.59%. This indicates that SDOG 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.

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Volatility by Period

SDOGXLUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.34%

5.59%

-2.25%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.02%

11.68%

-3.66%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

11.52%

14.66%

-3.14%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.44%

17.34%

-1.90%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.06%

19.27%

-0.21%

SDOG vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDOG has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDOG vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

SDOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, more than XLU's 2.67% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SDOG
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF		3.26%3.68%3.86%4.29%3.87%3.62%3.63%3.37%4.03%3.27%3.32%3.61%
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

SDOG and XLU have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

XLU has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to SDOG (3.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDOG dropped -43.56% vs XLU's -51.98%.

On 10-year performance, SDOG leads with 9.99% vs 9.20% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, SDOG has been the lower-risk option at 3.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, SDOG has performed better with a 9.99% return vs 9.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for SDOG.

SDOG has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 2.67% for XLU.

SDOG is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. SDOG tracks S-Network Sector Dividend Dogs Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.36% for SDOG and 0.08% for XLU.

SDOG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 0.81), 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.

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