SHE vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SHE (SPDR SSGA Gender Diversity Index ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SHE is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the SSGA Gender Diversity (TR), while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SHE returned 12.83%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SHE charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

SHE vs. XLU - 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 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, SHE achieves a 19.56% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, SHE has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 12.83%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.15% annualized return.

SHE

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 10.08%
• YTD: 19.56%
• 6M: 21.08%
• 1Y: 31.32%
• 3Y*: 24.28%
• 5Y*: 10.89%
• 10Y*: 12.83%

XLU

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: -5.74%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 9.11%
• 3Y*: 13.74%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: 9.15%

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

SHE vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SHE SPDR SSGA Gender Diversity Index ETF	19.56%	15.50%	23.35%	22.37%	-21.73%	15.17%	17.93%	23.63%	-3.48%	19.56%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.11%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between SHE and XLU is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 9, 2016	0.35

The correlation between SHE and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.22 (1 year) to 0.37 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SHE vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SHE	XLU
Technology	38.0%	-
Financial Services	11.9%	-
Communication Services	9.5%	-
Industrials	8.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.9%	-
Healthcare	8.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	-
Energy	3.4%	-
Utilities	2.2%	100.0%
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.9%	-

Return for Risk

SHE vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SHE

SHE Risk / Return Rank: 74
SHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SHE Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
SHE Martin Ratio Rank: 77

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 19
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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. XLU - 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 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.

	SHE	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	0.63	+1.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	0.94	+2.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.12	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.68	1.00	+2.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.98	2.24	+12.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SHE vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SHE Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SHE 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SHE	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43	0.63	+1.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.54	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	0.48	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.40	+0.34

Drawdowns

SHE vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SHE drawdown since its inception was -35.80%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SHE and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SHE	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.80%	-51.98%	+16.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.54%	-9.18%	+0.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.07%	-17.26%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.69%	-25.26%	-6.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.80%	-36.07%	+0.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.58%	-7.78%	+7.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.30%	-10.22%	+3.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.10%	4.09%	-1.99%

Volatility

SHE vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR SSGA Gender Diversity Index ETF (SHE) is 5.06%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that SHE 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.

Volatility by Period

	SHE	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.06%	5.41%	-0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.29%	11.53%	-1.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.94%	14.57%	-1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.22%	17.32%	-0.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.04%	19.26%	-1.22%

SHE vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SHE has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU'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. XLU - Dividend Comparison

SHE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, less than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SHE SPDR SSGA Gender Diversity Index ETF	1.06%	1.18%	1.14%	1.37%	1.54%	0.99%	1.24%	1.91%	7.39%	5.37%	6.41%	0.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.72%	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 SHE and XLU in my portfolio?

SHE and XLU have a correlation of 0.22, 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 XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to SHE (5.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SHE dropped -35.80% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, SHE or XLU?

On 10-year performance, SHE leads with 12.83% vs 9.15% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, SHE has been the lower-risk option at 5.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SHE or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, SHE has performed better with a 12.83% return vs 9.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SHE or XLU?

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

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 1.06% for SHE.

What is the main difference between SHE and XLU?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SHE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 0.63), 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.