SPXE vs. XLG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPXE (ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Energy ETF) and XLG (Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF) are both S&P 500 funds - SPXE tracks the S&P 500 Ex-Energy Index while XLG tracks the S&P 500 Top 50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPXE returned 15.72%/yr vs 17.27%/yr for XLG. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPXE charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for XLG.

Performance

SPXE vs. XLG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Energy ETF (SPXE) and Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPXE achieves a 10.29% return, which is significantly higher than XLG's 7.57% return. Over the past 10 years, SPXE has underperformed XLG with an annualized return of 15.72%, while XLG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.27% annualized return.

SPXE

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 5.33%
• YTD: 10.29%
• 6M: 10.47%
• 1Y: 27.46%
• 3Y*: 22.55%
• 5Y*: 13.56%
• 10Y*: 15.72%

XLG

• 1D: -1.15%
• 1M: 4.22%
• YTD: 7.57%
• 6M: 7.32%
• 1Y: 28.54%
• 3Y*: 24.46%
• 5Y*: 16.24%
• 10Y*: 17.27%

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

SPXE vs. XLG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPXE ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Energy ETF	10.29%	18.03%	25.72%	27.71%	-20.58%	27.93%	20.62%	32.45%	-5.52%	24.99%
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF	7.57%	19.51%	33.49%	38.16%	-24.29%	30.77%	24.15%	32.04%	-3.59%	23.04%

Correlation

The correlation between SPXE and XLG is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2015	0.85

The correlation between SPXE and XLG shifts across timeframes, from 0.85 (all time) to 0.96 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPXE vs. XLG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPXE	XLG
Technology	39.6%	43.9%
Financial Services	11.6%	9.6%
Communication Services	11.0%	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	11.3%
Healthcare	8.6%	7.0%
Industrials	7.9%	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	5.8%
Utilities	2.7%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	0.6%
Energy	0.0%	2.7%

Return for Risk

SPXE vs. XLG — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPXE

SPXE Risk / Return Rank: 64
SPXE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SPXE Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPXE Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SPXE Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SPXE Martin Ratio Rank: 68

XLG

XLG Risk / Return Rank: 56
XLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
XLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
XLG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
XLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
XLG Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

SPXE vs. XLG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Energy ETF (SPXE) and Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG). 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.

	SPXE	XLG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	2.15	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	2.92	+0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.38	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	2.31	+0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.40	8.66	+3.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPXE vs. XLG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPXE Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is comparable to the XLG Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPXE and XLG, 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

	SPXE	XLG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22	2.15	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.87	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91	0.92	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.62	+0.28

Drawdowns

SPXE vs. XLG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPXE drawdown since its inception was -32.27%, smaller than the maximum XLG drawdown of -52.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPXE and XLG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPXE	XLG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.27%	-52.39%	+20.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.09%	-12.41%	+2.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.90%	-20.70%	+1.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.50%	-28.02%	+1.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.27%	-30.46%	-1.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	-1.44%	+0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.47%	-7.64%	+3.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.22%	3.30%	-1.08%

Volatility

SPXE vs. XLG - Volatility Comparison

ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Energy ETF (SPXE) and Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG) have volatilities of 3.20% and 3.19%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPXE	XLG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.20%	3.19%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.61%	9.80%	-0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.45%	13.33%	-0.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.91%	18.68%	-1.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.42%	18.84%	-1.42%

SPXE vs. XLG - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPXE has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than XLG's 0.20% 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

SPXE vs. XLG - Dividend Comparison

SPXE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, more than XLG's 0.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPXE ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Energy ETF	0.91%	0.99%	1.09%	1.29%	1.49%	0.94%	1.16%	1.38%	1.61%	1.65%	1.53%	0.51%
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF	0.60%	0.64%	0.72%	0.97%	1.34%	0.94%	1.25%	1.58%	2.00%	1.85%	2.00%	2.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPXE and XLG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, SPXE and XLG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SPXE or XLG?

SPXE has higher volatility (3.20%) compared to XLG (3.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPXE dropped -32.27% vs XLG's -52.39%.

Which ETF is better, SPXE or XLG?

On 10-year performance, XLG leads with 17.27% vs 15.72% for SPXE. On fees, SPXE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPXE or XLG?

Over the 10-year period, XLG has performed better with a 17.27% return vs 15.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPXE or XLG?

SPXE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for XLG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPXE or XLG?

SPXE has the higher dividend yield at 0.91%, compared with 0.60% for XLG.

What is the main difference between SPXE and XLG?

SPXE tracks S&P 500 Ex-Energy Index, while XLG tracks S&P 500 Top 50 Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPXE and 0.20% for XLG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 2.15), 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.