SPSB vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPSB (SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPSB is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 1-3 Year 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, SPSB returned 2.63%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPSB charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

SPSB vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPSB) 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, SPSB achieves a 0.84% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, SPSB has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 2.63%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.15% annualized return.

SPSB

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 0.84%
• 6M: 1.17%
• 1Y: 4.29%
• 3Y*: 5.29%
• 5Y*: 2.69%
• 10Y*: 2.63%

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)

SPSB vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPSB SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.84%	5.86%	5.25%	5.60%	-3.31%	-0.20%	3.83%	5.21%	1.45%	1.58%
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 SPSB and XLU is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2009	0.15

Return for Risk

SPSB vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPSB

SPSB Risk / Return Rank: 92
SPSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SPSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SPSB Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SPSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SPSB Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

SPSB vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPSB) 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.

	SPSB	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.25	0.63	+2.63
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.36	0.94	+4.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.72	1.12	+0.60
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.94	1.00	+3.94
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	22.90	2.24	+20.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPSB vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPSB Sharpe Ratio is 3.25, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPSB 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

	SPSB	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.25	0.63	+2.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.36	0.54	+0.83
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.48	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	0.40	+0.47

Drawdowns

SPSB vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPSB drawdown since its inception was -11.75%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPSB and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPSB	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.75%	-51.98%	+40.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.87%	-9.18%	+8.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.87%	-17.26%	+16.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.96%	-25.26%	+19.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.75%	-36.07%	+24.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-7.78%	+7.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.54%	-10.22%	+9.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.19%	4.09%	-3.90%

Volatility

SPSB vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPSB) is 0.35%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that SPSB 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.

Volatility by Period

	SPSB	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.35%	5.41%	-5.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.94%	11.53%	-10.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.33%	14.57%	-13.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.98%	17.32%	-15.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.06%	19.26%	-16.20%

SPSB vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPSB has a 0.07% 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

SPSB vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

SPSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.41%, more than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPSB SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.41%	4.55%	4.85%	4.05%	1.92%	1.19%	1.94%	2.77%	2.36%	1.94%	1.65%	1.43%
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 SPSB and XLU in my portfolio?

SPSB and XLU have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPSB or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to SPSB (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPSB dropped -11.75% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, SPSB or XLU?

On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 9.15% vs 2.63% for SPSB. On fees, SPSB is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, SPSB has been the lower-risk option at 0.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPSB or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, XLU has performed better with a 9.15% return vs 2.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPSB or XLU?

SPSB is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLU.

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

SPSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.41%, compared with 2.72% for XLU.

What is the main difference between SPSB and XLU?

SPSB is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while XLU is Utilities Equities. SPSB tracks Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 1-3 Year Corporate Bond Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for SPSB and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.25 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.