SPEM vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets BMI, while XLF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPEM returned 9.63%/yr vs 13.33%/yr for XLF. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPEM charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.

Performance

SPEM vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPEM achieves a 11.32% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -2.11% return. Over the past 10 years, SPEM has underperformed XLF with an annualized return of 9.63%, while XLF has yielded a comparatively higher 13.33% annualized return.

SPEM

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: 2.50%
• YTD: 11.32%
• 6M: 13.11%
• 1Y: 27.73%
• 3Y*: 17.37%
• 5Y*: 5.60%
• 10Y*: 9.63%

XLF

• 1D: 1.37%
• 1M: 4.38%
• YTD: -2.11%
• 6M: -2.09%
• 1Y: 8.41%
• 3Y*: 18.86%
• 5Y*: 9.15%
• 10Y*: 13.33%

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

SPEM vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	11.32%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	1.51%	14.55%	19.69%	-13.26%	34.82%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-2.11%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%

Correlation

The correlation between SPEM and XLF is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2007	0.59

Over the past year, the correlation between SPEM and XLF has dropped to 0.35 - well below their long-term average of 0.59, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SPEM vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPEM	XLF
Technology	32.1%	1.8%
Financial Services	19.2%	98.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	-
Industrials	8.3%	0.2%
Basic Materials	8.0%	-
Communication Services	6.7%	-
Energy	4.2%	-
Healthcare	3.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	-
Utilities	2.8%	-
Real Estate	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

SPEM vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 52
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 54

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 15
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 15
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

SPEM vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SPEM	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	0.42	+1.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	0.67	+1.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.08	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	0.42	+1.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.16	1.08	+7.08

SPEM vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is higher than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPEM and XLF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SPEM vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPEM drawdown since its inception was -64.41%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPEM and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPEM	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.41%	-82.69%	+18.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.36%	-14.79%	+3.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.62%	-15.54%	-2.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.75%	-25.81%	-5.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.06%	-42.86%	+6.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.40%	-4.94%	+2.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.73%	-20.01%	+5.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.17%	5.76%	-2.59%

Volatility

SPEM vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) has a higher volatility of 6.87% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 4.23%. This indicates that SPEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPEM	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.87%	4.23%	+2.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.21%	11.26%	+2.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.67%	14.69%	+1.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.26%	18.66%	-1.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.83%	22.17%	-3.34%

SPEM vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPEM has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than XLF'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

SPEM vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

SPEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, more than XLF's 1.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.49%	2.77%	2.78%	2.80%	3.38%	3.14%	1.92%	2.94%	2.34%	1.12%	1.51%	2.40%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.49%	1.31%	1.42%	1.71%	2.04%	1.63%	2.03%	1.87%	2.08%	1.48%	21.10%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPEM and XLF in my portfolio?

SPEM and XLF have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPEM or XLF?

SPEM has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to XLF (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPEM dropped -64.41% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which ETF is better, SPEM or XLF?

On 10-year performance, XLF leads with 13.33% vs 9.63% for SPEM. On fees, XLF is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLF has been the lower-risk option at 4.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPEM or XLF?

Over the 10-year period, XLF has performed better with a 13.33% return vs 9.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPEM or XLF?

XLF is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.11% for SPEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPEM or XLF?

SPEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.49%, compared with 1.49% for XLF.

What is the main difference between SPEM and XLF?

SPEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while XLF is Financials Equities. SPEM tracks S&P Emerging Markets BMI, while XLF tracks Financial Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.11% for SPEM and 0.08% for XLF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 0.42), 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.