SPDW vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPDW (SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPDW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPDW returned 10.09%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPDW charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

SPDW vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) 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, SPDW achieves a 15.00% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, SPDW has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 10.09%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.15% annualized return.

SPDW

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: 5.56%
• YTD: 15.00%
• 6M: 18.06%
• 1Y: 32.15%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 9.38%
• 10Y*: 10.09%

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)

SPDW vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	15.00%	34.75%	3.55%	17.81%	-15.98%	11.45%	9.90%	22.41%	-14.22%	25.81%
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 SPDW and XLU is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2007	0.42

The correlation between SPDW and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (1 year) to 0.42 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPDW vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPDW	XLU
Financial Services	22.9%	-
Industrials	19.2%	-
Technology	13.7%	-
Healthcare	8.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.8%	-
Basic Materials	7.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.7%	-
Energy	5.5%	-
Communication Services	3.8%	-
Utilities	3.3%	100.0%
Real Estate	2.5%	-

Return for Risk

SPDW vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPDW

SPDW Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
SPDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
SPDW Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SPDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SPDW Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

SPDW vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) 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.

	SPDW	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	0.63	+1.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	0.94	+1.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.12	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	1.00	+1.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.93	2.24	+8.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPDW vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPDW Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPDW 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

	SPDW	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.07	0.63	+1.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.54	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.48	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.40	-0.16

Drawdowns

SPDW vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPDW drawdown since its inception was -60.02%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPDW and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPDW	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.02%	-51.98%	-8.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.55%	-9.18%	-2.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.53%	-17.26%	+3.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.21%	-25.26%	-4.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.98%	-36.07%	+1.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.87%	-7.78%	+6.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.91%	-10.22%	-2.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.95%	4.09%	-1.14%

Volatility

SPDW vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) have volatilities of 5.63% and 5.41%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPDW	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.63%	5.41%	+0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.17%	11.53%	+1.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.60%	14.57%	+1.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.49%	17.32%	-0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.26%	19.26%	-2.00%

SPDW vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPDW has a 0.04% 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

SPDW vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

SPDW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.87%, more than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	2.87%	3.30%	3.19%	2.75%	3.12%	3.04%	1.87%	3.13%	3.08%	1.86%	3.11%	2.78%
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 SPDW and XLU in my portfolio?

SPDW and XLU have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPDW or XLU?

SPDW has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to XLU (5.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPDW dropped -60.02% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, SPDW or XLU?

On 10-year performance, SPDW leads with 10.09% vs 9.15% for XLU. On fees, SPDW is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPDW or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, SPDW has performed better with a 10.09% return vs 9.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPDW or XLU?

SPDW is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLU.

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

SPDW has the higher dividend yield at 2.87%, compared with 2.72% for XLU.

What is the main difference between SPDW and XLU?

SPDW is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. SPDW tracks S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SPDW and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPDW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 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.