SEA vs. XTN

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SEA (U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF) and XTN (SPDR S&P Transportation ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds - SEA tracks the U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross while XTN tracks the S&P Transportation Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SEA returned 18.39%/yr vs 8.69%/yr for XTN. Their 0.52 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SEA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XTN.

Performance

SEA vs. XTN - 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 SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN). 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 XTN's 19.69% 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%

XTN

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: -5.96%
• 6M: 13.81%
• YTD: 19.69%
• 1Y: 36.39%
• 3Y*: 8.69%
• 5Y*: 6.50%
• 10Y*: 10.20%
• ALL TIME*: 10.72%

*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)
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	$126.54K	$400.87K	$241.46K
XTN SPDR S&P Transportation ETF	$3.22M	$3.69M	$6.00M

SEA vs. XTN - 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%
XTN SPDR S&P Transportation ETF	19.69%	6.33%	4.86%	25.22%	-22.51%

Correlation

The correlation between SEA and XTN is 0.41, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 20, 2022	0.52

The correlation between SEA and XTN shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (1 year) to 0.52 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SEA vs. XTN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SEA	XTN
Industrials	95.5%	94.7%
Energy	3.5%	-
Technology	0.1%	5.3%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-
Communication Services	-0.1%	-

Return for Risk

SEA vs. XTN — 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

XTN

XTN Risk / Return Rank: 49
XTN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
XTN Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
XTN Omega Ratio Rank: 48
XTN Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
XTN Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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. XTN - 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 SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN). 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	XTN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	1.19	+1.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	1.75	+1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.22	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.75	1.90	+1.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.91	5.31	+8.60

SEA vs. XTN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEA Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is higher than the XTN Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEA and XTN, 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. XTN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEA drawdown since its inception was -39.53%, smaller than the maximum XTN drawdown of -43.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEA and XTN.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEA	XTN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.53%	-43.77%	+4.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.67%	-17.28%	+6.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.42%	-33.69%	+1.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.05%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.77%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-7.43%	+7.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.90%	-10.85%	-3.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.87%	6.18%	-3.31%

Volatility

SEA vs. XTN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) is 4.58%, while SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN) has a volatility of 5.56%. This indicates that SEA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XTN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEA	XTN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.58%	5.56%	-0.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.15%	22.33%	-9.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.95%	27.71%	-10.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.55%	26.86%	-5.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.55%	26.16%	-4.61%

SEA vs. XTN - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than XTN's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEA vs. XTN - Dividend Comparison

SEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.18%, more than XTN's 0.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
XTN SPDR S&P Transportation ETF	0.67%	0.78%	0.93%	0.73%	1.04%	1.02%	0.75%	1.17%	0.98%	0.63%	0.66%	1.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEA and XTN in my portfolio?

SEA and XTN have a correlation of 0.41, 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 XTN?

XTN has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to SEA (4.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEA dropped -39.53% vs XTN's -43.77%.

Which ETF is better, SEA or XTN?

On 3-year performance, SEA leads with 18.39% vs 8.69% for XTN. On fees, XTN is cheaper at 0.35% 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 XTN?

Over the 3-year period, SEA has performed better with a 18.39% return vs 8.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEA or XTN?

XTN is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SEA.

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

SEA has the higher dividend yield at 5.18%, compared with 0.67% for XTN.

What is the main difference between SEA and XTN?

SEA tracks U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while XTN tracks S&P Transportation Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: US Global and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SEA and 0.35% for XTN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 1.19), 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.