SPGM vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SPGM (SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPGM is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI IMI Index, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPGM returned 13.23%/yr vs 9.37%/yr for XLE. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPGM charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

SPGM vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF (SPGM) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPGM achieves a 10.79% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 23.49% return. Over the past 10 years, SPGM has outperformed XLE with an annualized return of 13.23%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively lower 9.37% annualized return.

SPGM

• 1D: -1.85%
• 1M: -0.09%
• YTD: 10.79%
• 6M: 9.88%
• 1Y: 28.37%
• 3Y*: 20.39%
• 5Y*: 11.06%
• 10Y*: 13.23%

XLE

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: -7.80%
• YTD: 23.49%
• 6M: 24.07%
• 1Y: 30.55%
• 3Y*: 15.73%
• 5Y*: 18.87%
• 10Y*: 9.37%

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

SPGM vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPGM SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF	10.79%	23.62%	16.75%	21.34%	-17.53%	21.13%	15.28%	26.58%	-10.12%	23.26%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	23.49%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between SPGM and XLE is -0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 5, 2012	0.45

The correlation between SPGM and XLE shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (1 year) to 0.46 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPGM vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPGM	XLE
Technology	30.7%	-
Financial Services	15.7%	-
Industrials	12.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	-
Communication Services	8.2%	-
Healthcare	7.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	-
Energy	4.0%	100.0%
Basic Materials	3.8%	-
Utilities	2.0%	-
Real Estate	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

SPGM vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPGM

SPGM Risk / Return Rank: 66
SPGM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SPGM Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SPGM Omega Ratio Rank: 66
SPGM Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPGM Martin Ratio Rank: 73

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 42
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 39
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

SPGM vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF (SPGM) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

	SPGM	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	1.48	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	2.00	+0.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.25	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	2.18	+0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.18	6.53	+6.65

SPGM vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPGM Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is higher than the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPGM and XLE, 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

SPGM vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPGM drawdown since its inception was -33.97%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPGM and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPGM	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.97%	-71.26%	+37.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.50%	-14.05%	+4.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.90%	-20.14%	+3.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.93%	-26.04%	+0.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.97%	-66.81%	+32.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.70%	-12.32%	+9.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.79%	-17.96%	+13.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.16%	4.69%	-2.53%

Volatility

SPGM vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF (SPGM) is 5.64%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 7.12%. This indicates that SPGM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPGM	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.64%	7.12%	-1.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.44%	16.82%	-5.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.74%	20.93%	-7.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.16%	25.98%	-9.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.50%	29.60%	-12.10%

SPGM vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPGM has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE'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

SPGM vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

SPGM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, less than XLE's 2.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPGM SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF	1.83%	1.89%	1.98%	2.09%	2.37%	1.94%	1.45%	2.46%	1.89%	2.29%	1.87%	3.70%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.79%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPGM and XLE in my portfolio?

SPGM and XLE have a correlation of -0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPGM or XLE?

XLE has higher volatility (7.12%) compared to SPGM (5.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPGM dropped -33.97% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, SPGM or XLE?

On 10-year performance, SPGM leads with 13.23% vs 9.37% for XLE. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, SPGM has been the lower-risk option at 5.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPGM or XLE?

Over the 10-year period, SPGM has performed better with a 13.23% return vs 9.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPGM or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for SPGM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPGM or XLE?

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.79%, compared with 1.83% for SPGM.

What is the main difference between SPGM and XLE?

SPGM is categorized as Global Equities, while XLE is Energy Equities. SPGM tracks MSCI ACWI IMI Index, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPGM and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPGM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.48), 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.