SPXX vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SPXX (Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both funds - SPXX is a S&P 500 fund actively managed by Nuveen, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. SPXX is actively managed, while XLE is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPXX returned 10.27%/yr vs 10.08%/yr for XLE. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPXX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

SPXX vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund (SPXX) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPXX achieves a 4.38% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 30.48% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SPXX having a 10.27% annualized return and XLE not far behind at 10.08%.

SPXX

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 4.35%
• YTD: 4.38%
• 6M: 6.80%
• 1Y: 15.70%
• 3Y*: 14.42%
• 5Y*: 8.05%
• 10Y*: 10.27%

XLE

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: -1.51%
• YTD: 30.48%
• 6M: 30.54%
• 1Y: 44.84%
• 3Y*: 16.95%
• 5Y*: 20.29%
• 10Y*: 10.08%

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

SPXX vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPXX Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund	4.38%	9.78%	27.10%	0.85%	-6.92%	29.03%	-0.37%	25.36%	-13.42%	27.92%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	30.48%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between SPXX and XLE is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2005	0.44

The correlation between SPXX and XLE shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.44 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SPXX vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPXX

SPXX Risk / Return Rank: 17
SPXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
SPXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
SPXX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
SPXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
SPXX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 64
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

SPXX vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund (SPXX) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

	SPXX	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	2.20	-0.88
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.90	2.83	-0.93
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.35	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.27	3.88	-2.61
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.34	11.35	-7.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPXX vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPXX Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is lower than the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPXX and XLE, 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

	SPXX	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	2.20	-0.88
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.78	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.34	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.31	+0.09

Drawdowns

SPXX vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPXX drawdown since its inception was -52.39%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPXX and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPXX	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.39%	-71.26%	+18.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.86%	-12.05%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.65%	-20.14%	+2.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.09%	-26.04%	+7.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.99%	-66.81%	+22.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.35%	+7.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.47%	-17.98%	+10.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.48%	4.12%	-0.64%

Volatility

SPXX vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund (SPXX) is 2.65%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 8.19%. This indicates that SPXX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPXX	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	8.19%	-5.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.95%	16.56%	-7.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.94%	20.53%	-8.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.82%	26.01%	-10.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	29.59%	-11.18%

SPXX vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPXX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPXX vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

SPXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.31%, more than XLE's 2.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPXX Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund	7.31%	7.48%	6.87%	7.82%	7.30%	5.27%	6.56%	6.44%	7.98%	5.69%	5.14%	7.75%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.57%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPXX and XLE in my portfolio?

SPXX and XLE have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPXX or XLE?

XLE has higher volatility (8.19%) compared to SPXX (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPXX dropped -52.39% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.32), 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.