SLYG vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SLYG (SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SLYG is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SLYG returned 10.87%/yr vs 9.22%/yr for XLU. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SLYG charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

SLYG vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) 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, SLYG achieves a 16.95% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.65% return. Over the past 10 years, SLYG has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 10.87%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.22% annualized return.

SLYG

• 1D: 1.25%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 16.95%
• 6M: 14.97%
• 1Y: 28.13%
• 3Y*: 15.87%
• 5Y*: 5.76%
• 10Y*: 10.87%

XLU

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -5.24%
• YTD: 3.65%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 11.64%
• 3Y*: 13.76%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: 9.22%

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

SLYG vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SLYG SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF	16.95%	5.20%	9.38%	17.27%	-21.26%	22.42%	19.48%	20.97%	-4.20%	14.62%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.65%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between SLYG and XLU is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2000	0.39

The correlation between SLYG and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (1 year) to 0.39 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SLYG vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SLYG	XLU
Technology	20.1%	-
Industrials	19.5%	-
Healthcare	14.4%	-
Financial Services	13.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	-
Real Estate	6.4%	-
Energy	5.1%	-
Communication Services	2.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	-
Basic Materials	2.8%	-
Utilities	1.9%	100.0%

Return for Risk

SLYG vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLYG

SLYG Risk / Return Rank: 53
SLYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SLYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SLYG Omega Ratio Rank: 45
SLYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SLYG Martin Ratio Rank: 61

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 24
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 23
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

SLYG vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) 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.

	SLYG	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	0.81	+0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	1.18	+1.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.15	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.11	1.27	+1.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.86	2.84	+8.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SLYG vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLYG Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLYG 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

	SLYG	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61	0.81	+0.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.54	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.48	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.40	-0.09

Drawdowns

SLYG vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLYG drawdown since its inception was -62.15%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLYG and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLYG	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.15%	-51.98%	-10.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.10%	-9.18%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.39%	-17.26%	-10.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.18%	-25.26%	-3.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.86%	-36.07%	-5.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-7.30%	+7.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.55%	-10.22%	-4.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	4.11%	-1.51%

Volatility

SLYG vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) is 4.47%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.47%. This indicates that SLYG 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

	SLYG	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	5.47%	-1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.52%	11.52%	+1.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.56%	14.57%	+2.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.52%	17.32%	+4.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.74%	19.25%	+3.49%

SLYG vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLYG has a 0.15% 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

SLYG vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

SLYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.70%, less than XLU's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SLYG SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF	0.70%	0.86%	1.22%	1.18%	1.18%	0.68%	0.71%	1.08%	1.06%	4.74%	1.13%	5.75%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.71%	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 SLYG and XLU in my portfolio?

SLYG and XLU have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SLYG or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.47%) compared to SLYG (4.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLYG dropped -62.15% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, SLYG or XLU?

On 10-year performance, SLYG leads with 10.87% vs 9.22% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, SLYG has been the lower-risk option at 4.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SLYG or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, SLYG has performed better with a 10.87% return vs 9.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SLYG or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for SLYG.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.71%, compared with 0.70% for SLYG.

What is the main difference between SLYG and XLU?

SLYG is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. SLYG tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for SLYG and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLYG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 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.