SPTU vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPTU (State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPTU is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the ICE BofA US Treasury Bill Index, while XLF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPTU charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.

Performance

SPTU vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF (SPTU) 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, SPTU achieves a 1.48% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -6.64% return.

SPTU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 1.48%
• 6M: 1.81%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLF

• 1D: -1.15%
• 1M: -1.38%
• YTD: -6.64%
• 6M: -4.18%
• 1Y: 1.13%
• 3Y*: 17.64%
• 5Y*: 7.61%
• 10Y*: 12.38%

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

SPTU vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF	1.48%	0.92%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-6.64%	2.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SPTU and XLF 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2025	0.06

Return for Risk

SPTU vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 9
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

SPTU vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF (SPTU) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SPTU	XLF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	0.08	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.56	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	11.82	0.20	+11.62

Drawdowns

SPTU vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPTU drawdown since its inception was -0.04%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPTU and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPTU	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.04%	-82.69%	+82.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-14.79%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.54%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.81%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-9.34%	+9.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.00%	-20.03%	+20.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.66%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SPTU	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.29%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.94%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32%	14.41%	-14.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.32%	18.63%	-18.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.32%	22.16%	-21.84%

SPTU vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPTU has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than XLF'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

SPTU vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

SPTU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.36%, more than XLF's 1.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF	2.36%	0.89%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.56%	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 SPTU and XLF in my portfolio?

SPTU and XLF 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 ETF is better, SPTU or XLF?

On fees, SPTU is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPTU or XLF?

SPTU is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLF.

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

SPTU has the higher dividend yield at 2.36%, compared with 1.56% for XLF.

What is the main difference between SPTU and XLF?

SPTU is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while XLF is Financials Equities. SPTU tracks ICE BofA US Treasury Bill Index, while XLF tracks Financial Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for SPTU and 0.08% for XLF.