SPEM vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets BMI, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPEM returned 9.45%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPEM charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

SPEM vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) 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, SPEM achieves a 12.45% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.11% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SPEM having a 9.45% annualized return and XLU not far behind at 9.15%.

SPEM

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: 3.20%
• YTD: 12.45%
• 6M: 14.11%
• 1Y: 31.35%
• 3Y*: 18.73%
• 5Y*: 5.70%
• 10Y*: 9.45%

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)

SPEM vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	12.45%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	1.51%	14.55%	19.69%	-13.26%	34.82%
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 SPEM and XLU is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 2007	0.36

The correlation between SPEM and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (1 year) to 0.36 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPEM vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPEM	XLU
Technology	28.2%	-
Financial Services	20.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	-
Industrials	8.5%	-
Basic Materials	8.2%	-
Communication Services	7.2%	-
Energy	4.7%	-
Healthcare	4.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	-
Utilities	2.8%	100.0%
Real Estate	1.9%	-

Return for Risk

SPEM vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 57
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

SPEM vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) 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.

	SPEM	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	0.63	+1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.73	0.94	+1.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.12	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	1.00	+1.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.14	2.24	+7.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPEM vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPEM 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

	SPEM	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	0.63	+1.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.54	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.48	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.40	-0.16

Drawdowns

SPEM vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPEM drawdown since its inception was -64.41%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPEM and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPEM	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.41%	-51.98%	-12.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.36%	-9.18%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.62%	-17.26%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.88%	-25.26%	-6.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.06%	-36.07%	+0.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	-7.78%	+6.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.75%	-10.22%	-4.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.10%	4.09%	-0.99%

Volatility

SPEM vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) has a higher volatility of 5.69% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.41%. This indicates that SPEM'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.

Volatility by Period

	SPEM	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.69%	5.41%	+0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.29%	11.53%	+1.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.92%	14.57%	+1.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.13%	17.32%	-0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.80%	19.26%	-0.46%

SPEM vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPEM has a 0.11% 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

SPEM vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

SPEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.47%, less than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.47%	2.77%	2.78%	2.80%	3.38%	3.14%	1.92%	2.94%	2.34%	1.12%	1.51%	2.40%
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 SPEM and XLU in my portfolio?

SPEM and XLU have a correlation of 0.18, 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 XLU?

SPEM has higher volatility (5.69%) compared to XLU (5.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPEM dropped -64.41% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, SPEM or XLU?

On 10-year performance, SPEM leads with 9.45% vs 9.15% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% 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, SPEM or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, SPEM has performed better with a 9.45% return vs 9.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPEM or XLU?

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

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 2.47% for SPEM.

What is the main difference between SPEM and XLU?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 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.