SEA vs. EXI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SEA (U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF) and EXI (iShares Global Industrials ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds - SEA tracks the U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross while EXI tracks the S&P Global 1200 / Industrials -SEC. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SEA returned 18.39%/yr vs 18.99%/yr for EXI. Their 0.59 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SEA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for EXI.

Performance

SEA vs. EXI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) and iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEA achieves a 30.54% return, which is significantly higher than EXI's 13.74% return.

SEA

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 10.88%
• 6M: 20.96%
• YTD: 30.54%
• 1Y: 39.67%
• 3Y*: 18.39%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.73%

EXI

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: -1.08%
• 6M: 6.20%
• YTD: 13.74%
• 1Y: 21.21%
• 3Y*: 18.99%
• 5Y*: 12.03%
• 10Y*: 12.52%
• ALL TIME*: 8.91%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EXI iShares Global Industrials ETF	$7.80M	$7.11M	$10.88M
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	$126.54K	$400.87K	$241.46K

SEA vs. EXI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	30.54%	16.78%	2.52%	19.33%	-18.36%
EXI iShares Global Industrials ETF	13.74%	25.88%	12.47%	22.04%	-9.46%

Correlation

The correlation between SEA and EXI is 0.50, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 20, 2022	0.59

The correlation between SEA and EXI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

SEA vs. EXI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SEA	EXI
Industrials	95.5%	94.4%
Energy	3.5%	-
Technology	0.1%	4.1%
Basic Materials	-	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.1%
Financial Services	-	0.1%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	2.6%
Communication Services	-0.1%	1.0%

Return for Risk

SEA vs. EXI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SEA

SEA Risk / Return Rank: 90
SEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
SEA Omega Ratio Rank: 89
SEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SEA Martin Ratio Rank: 89

EXI

EXI Risk / Return Rank: 48
EXI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
EXI Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
EXI Omega Ratio Rank: 47
EXI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
EXI Martin Ratio Rank: 53

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SEA vs. EXI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) and iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI). 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.

	SEA	EXI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	1.16	+1.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	1.72	+1.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.21	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.75	1.60	+2.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.91	6.21	+7.70

SEA vs. EXI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEA Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is higher than the EXI Sharpe Ratio of 1.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEA and EXI, 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

SEA vs. EXI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEA drawdown since its inception was -39.53%, smaller than the maximum EXI drawdown of -62.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEA and EXI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEA	EXI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.53%	-62.60%	+23.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.67%	-12.35%	+1.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.42%	-14.38%	-18.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.23%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-2.36%	+2.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.90%	-9.90%	-4.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.87%	3.19%	-0.32%

Volatility

SEA vs. EXI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) is 4.58%, while iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that SEA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EXI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEA	EXI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.58%	4.87%	-0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.15%	14.50%	-1.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.95%	17.01%	-0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.55%	17.17%	+4.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.55%	18.36%	+3.19%

SEA vs. EXI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than EXI's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEA vs. EXI - Dividend Comparison

SEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.18%, more than EXI's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EXI iShares Global Industrials ETF	1.07%	1.32%	1.47%	1.84%	1.63%	1.42%	1.26%	1.72%	2.21%	1.48%	1.75%	1.95%
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	5.18%	6.76%	18.47%	9.85%	18.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEA and EXI in my portfolio?

SEA and EXI have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEA or EXI?

EXI has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to SEA (4.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEA dropped -39.53% vs EXI's -62.60%.

Which ETF is better, SEA or EXI?

On 3-year performance, EXI leads with 18.99% vs 18.39% for SEA. On fees, EXI is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, SEA has been the lower-risk option at 4.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEA or EXI?

Over the 3-year period, EXI has performed better with a 18.99% return vs 18.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEA or EXI?

EXI is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SEA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEA or EXI?

SEA has the higher dividend yield at 5.18%, compared with 1.07% for EXI.

What is the main difference between SEA and EXI?

SEA tracks U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while EXI tracks S&P Global 1200 / Industrials -SEC. They also come from different issuers: US Global and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SEA and 0.43% for EXI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 1.16), 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.