SHE vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SHE (SPDR SSGA Gender Diversity Index ETF) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SHE is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the SSGA Gender Diversity (TR), while XLF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SHE returned 12.78%/yr vs 13.72%/yr for XLF. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SHE charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.

Performance

SHE vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR SSGA Gender Diversity Index ETF (SHE) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SHE achieves a 16.68% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -0.77% return. Over the past 10 years, SHE has underperformed XLF with an annualized return of 12.78%, while XLF has yielded a comparatively higher 13.72% annualized return.

SHE

• 1D: -1.22%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 16.68%
• 6M: 16.31%
• 1Y: 28.00%
• 3Y*: 22.78%
• 5Y*: 10.14%
• 10Y*: 12.78%

XLF

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 4.10%
• YTD: -0.77%
• 6M: -1.95%
• 1Y: 7.67%
• 3Y*: 19.94%
• 5Y*: 10.00%
• 10Y*: 13.72%

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

SHE vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SHE SPDR SSGA Gender Diversity Index ETF	16.68%	15.50%	23.35%	22.37%	-21.73%	15.17%	17.93%	23.63%	-3.48%	19.56%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-0.77%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%

Correlation

The correlation between SHE and XLF is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2016	0.72

The correlation between SHE and XLF shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (1 year) to 0.72 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SHE vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SHE	XLF
Technology	36.5%	1.8%
Financial Services	11.6%	98.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	-
Communication Services	10.1%	-
Healthcare	8.8%	-
Industrials	8.0%	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	-
Energy	3.3%	-
Utilities	2.9%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

SHE vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SHE

SHE Risk / Return Rank: 69
SHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
SHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SHE Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
SHE Martin Ratio Rank: 73

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 15
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 16
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

SHE vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR SSGA Gender Diversity Index ETF (SHE) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). 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.

	SHE	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	0.53	+1.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	0.81	+2.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.10	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.29	0.52	+2.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.91	1.33	+11.58

SHE vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SHE Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is higher than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SHE and XLF, 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

SHE vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SHE drawdown since its inception was -35.80%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SHE and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SHE	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.80%	-82.69%	+46.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.54%	-14.79%	+6.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.07%	-15.54%	-1.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.69%	-25.81%	-5.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.80%	-42.86%	+7.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.98%	-3.64%	+0.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.28%	-19.99%	+13.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.17%	5.79%	-3.62%

Volatility

SHE vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

SPDR SSGA Gender Diversity Index ETF (SHE) has a higher volatility of 5.16% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 4.12%. This indicates that SHE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SHE	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.16%	4.12%	+1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.03%	11.27%	-0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.46%	14.62%	-1.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.31%	18.58%	-1.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.06%	22.11%	-4.05%

SHE vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SHE has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than XLF's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SHE vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

SHE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, less than XLF's 1.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SHE SPDR SSGA Gender Diversity Index ETF	1.09%	1.18%	1.14%	1.37%	1.54%	0.99%	1.24%	1.91%	7.39%	5.37%	6.41%	0.00%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.50%	1.31%	1.42%	1.71%	2.04%	1.63%	2.03%	1.87%	2.08%	1.48%	21.10%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SHE and XLF in my portfolio?

SHE and XLF have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SHE or XLF?

SHE has higher volatility (5.16%) compared to XLF (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SHE dropped -35.80% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which ETF is better, SHE or XLF?

On 10-year performance, XLF leads with 13.72% vs 12.78% for SHE. On fees, XLF is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLF has been the lower-risk option at 4.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SHE or XLF?

Over the 10-year period, XLF has performed better with a 13.72% return vs 12.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SHE or XLF?

XLF is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for SHE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SHE or XLF?

XLF has the higher dividend yield at 1.50%, compared with 1.09% for SHE.

What is the main difference between SHE and XLF?

SHE is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while XLF is Financials Equities. SHE tracks SSGA Gender Diversity (TR), while XLF tracks Financial Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for SHE and 0.08% for XLF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SHE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 0.53), 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.