SO vs. XLU
Compare and contrast key facts about The Southern Company (SO) and Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU).
XLU is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Utilities Select Sector Index. It was launched on Dec 16, 1998.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: SO or XLU.
Key characteristics
| SO | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 5.93% | 6.25% |
| 1Y Return | 3.28% | -0.09% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 7.81% | 3.19% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 11.37% | 6.21% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 9.89% | 8.15% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.22 | 0.00 |
| Daily Std Dev | 18.00% | 17.03% |
| Max Drawdown | -38.43% | -52.27% |
| Current Drawdown | -2.52% | -9.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between SO and XLU is 0.75, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
SO vs. XLU - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, SO achieves a 5.93% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 6.25% return. Over the past 10 years, SO has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 9.89%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 8.15% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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Risk-Adjusted Performance
SO vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Southern Company (SO) and Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (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.
Dividends
SO vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison
SO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.81%, more than XLU's 3.26% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SO The Southern Company | 3.81% | 3.96% | 3.78% | 3.82% | 4.13% | 3.86% | 5.42% | 4.78% | 4.52% | 4.60% | 4.24% | 4.90% |
XLU Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund | 3.26% | 3.39% | 2.92% | 2.79% | 3.14% | 2.95% | 3.33% | 3.33% | 3.41% | 3.67% | 3.19% | 3.86% |
Drawdowns
SO vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SO drawdown since its inception was -38.43%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -52.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SO and XLU. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
SO vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison
The Southern Company (SO) has a higher volatility of 5.63% compared to Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) at 4.43%. This indicates that SO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.