SPBO vs. XLU
SPBO (SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPBO is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate Bond Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPBO returned 2.77%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPBO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.
Performance
SPBO vs. XLU - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SPBO achieves a 0.70% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, SPBO has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 2.77%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.15% annualized return.
SPBO
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- 0.67%
- YTD
- 0.70%
- 6M
- 0.47%
- 1Y
- 6.29%
- 3Y*
- 5.54%
- 5Y*
- 0.66%
- 10Y*
- 2.77%
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%
SPBO vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPBO SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF | 0.70% | 7.83% | 2.59% | 8.80% | -15.68% | -1.57% | 10.17% | 14.70% | -1.79% | 5.47% |
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 SPBO and XLU is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2011 | 0.20 |
The correlation between SPBO and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (all time) to 0.32 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
SPBO vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank
SPBO
XLU
SPBO vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF (SPBO) 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.
| SPBO | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.82 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.18 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.12 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.20 | 1.00 | +1.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.94 | 2.24 | +4.71 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SPBO | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.45 | 0.63 | +0.82 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.09 | 0.54 | -0.44 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.37 | 0.48 | -0.11 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.47 | 0.40 | +0.07 |
Drawdowns
SPBO vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SPBO drawdown since its inception was -22.23%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPBO and XLU.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| SPBO | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.23% | -51.98% | +29.75% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.87% | -9.18% | +6.31% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.41% | -17.26% | +10.85% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.23% | -25.26% | +3.03% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.23% | -36.07% | +13.84% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.91% | -7.78% | +6.87% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.04% | -10.22% | +6.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.91% | 4.09% | -3.18% |
Volatility
SPBO vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF (SPBO) is 1.35%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that SPBO 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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| SPBO | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.35% | 5.41% | -4.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.21% | 11.53% | -8.32% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.36% | 14.57% | -10.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.18% | 17.32% | -10.14% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 7.49% | 19.26% | -11.77% |
SPBO vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison
SPBO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
SPBO vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison
SPBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.12%, more than XLU's 2.72% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPBO SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF | 5.12% | 5.09% | 5.28% | 4.73% | 3.54% | 2.42% | 2.75% | 3.46% | 3.60% | 3.15% | 3.35% | 3.07% |
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
SPBO and XLU have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XLU has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to SPBO (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPBO dropped -22.23% vs XLU's -51.98%.
On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 9.15% vs 2.77% for SPBO. On fees, SPBO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SPBO has been the lower-risk option at 1.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, XLU has performed better with a 9.15% return vs 2.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPBO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLU.
SPBO has the higher dividend yield at 5.12%, compared with 2.72% for XLU.
SPBO is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while XLU is Utilities Equities. SPBO tracks Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate Bond Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for SPBO and 0.08% for XLU.
SPBO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.45 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.
Find the right allocation for SPBO and XLU
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer