SPTU vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPTU (State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPTU is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the ICE BofA US Treasury Bill Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities 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 XLU.

Performance

SPTU vs. XLU - 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 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, SPTU achieves a 1.48% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 3.11% return.

SPTU

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

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)

SPTU vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF	1.48%	0.92%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.11%	-5.26%

Correlation

The correlation between SPTU and XLU 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. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

SPTU vs. XLU - 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 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SPTU	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	0.63	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	11.82	0.40	+11.42

Drawdowns

SPTU vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPTU drawdown since its inception was -0.04%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPTU and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPTU	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.04%	-51.98%	+51.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.18%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.26%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.26%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.78%	+7.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.00%	-10.22%	+10.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.09%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SPTU	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.41%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	11.53%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32%	14.57%	-14.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.32%	17.32%	-17.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.32%	19.26%	-18.94%

SPTU vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPTU has a 0.05% 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

SPTU vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

SPTU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.36%, less than XLU's 2.72% 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%
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 SPTU and XLU in my portfolio?

SPTU and XLU 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 XLU?

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 XLU?

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

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 2.36% for SPTU.

What is the main difference between SPTU and XLU?

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