SPTM vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPTM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPTM is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P Composite 1500 Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPTM returned 15.21%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPTM charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

SPTM vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) 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, SPTM achieves a 11.10% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, SPTM has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 15.21%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.15% annualized return.

SPTM

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 4.87%
• YTD: 11.10%
• 6M: 11.13%
• 1Y: 27.84%
• 3Y*: 21.90%
• 5Y*: 13.38%
• 10Y*: 15.21%

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)

SPTM vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPTM SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF	11.10%	16.93%	23.87%	25.55%	-17.75%	28.58%	17.94%	31.34%	-5.30%	21.18%
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 SPTM and XLU is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2000	0.47

Over the past year, the correlation between SPTM and XLU has dropped to 0.22 - well below their long-term average of 0.47, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SPTM vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPTM	XLU
Technology	34.0%	-
Financial Services	12.1%	-
Communication Services	10.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	-
Industrials	9.4%	-
Healthcare	8.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	-
Energy	3.7%	-
Utilities	2.3%	100.0%
Real Estate	2.3%	-
Basic Materials	2.0%	-

Return for Risk

SPTM vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPTM

SPTM Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPTM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SPTM Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPTM Omega Ratio Rank: 69
SPTM Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SPTM Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

SPTM vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) 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.

	SPTM	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	0.63	+1.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.23	0.94	+2.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.12	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.22	1.00	+2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.01	2.24	+12.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPTM vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPTM Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPTM 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

	SPTM	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.36	0.63	+1.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.54	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.48	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.40	+0.06

Drawdowns

SPTM vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPTM drawdown since its inception was -54.80%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPTM and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPTM	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.80%	-51.98%	-2.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.68%	-9.18%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.87%	-17.26%	-1.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.14%	-25.26%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.66%	-36.07%	+1.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.67%	-7.78%	+7.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.05%	-10.22%	+1.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.86%	4.09%	-2.23%

Volatility

SPTM vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) is 2.88%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that SPTM 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

	SPTM	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	5.41%	-2.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.92%	11.53%	-2.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.88%	14.57%	-2.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.87%	17.32%	-0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	19.26%	-1.23%

SPTM vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPTM has a 0.03% 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

SPTM vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

SPTM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPTM SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF	1.04%	1.13%	1.28%	1.44%	1.69%	1.25%	1.56%	1.72%	1.90%	1.66%	1.91%	1.92%
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 SPTM and XLU in my portfolio?

SPTM and XLU have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPTM or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to SPTM (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPTM dropped -54.80% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, SPTM or XLU?

On 10-year performance, SPTM leads with 15.21% vs 9.15% for XLU. On fees, SPTM is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SPTM has been the lower-risk option at 2.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPTM or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, SPTM has performed better with a 15.21% return vs 9.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPTM or XLU?

SPTM is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLU.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 1.04% for SPTM.

What is the main difference between SPTM and XLU?

SPTM is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. SPTM tracks S&P Composite 1500 Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for SPTM and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPTM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 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.