SPY vs. XLC

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) and XLC (Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while XLC is a Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPY returned 13.36%/yr vs 8.03%/yr for XLC. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPY charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLC.

Performance

SPY vs. XLC - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPY achieves a 9.07% return, which is significantly higher than XLC's -4.85% return.

SPY

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: -0.86%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 9.42%
• 1Y: 25.67%
• 3Y*: 20.86%
• 5Y*: 13.36%
• 10Y*: 15.42%

XLC

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: -4.66%
• YTD: -4.85%
• 6M: -3.59%
• 1Y: 10.19%
• 3Y*: 21.60%
• 5Y*: 8.03%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPY vs. XLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.07%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-8.69%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	-4.85%	23.08%	34.71%	52.82%	-37.63%	15.96%	26.90%	31.05%	-16.45%

Correlation

The correlation between SPY and XLC is 0.64, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2018	0.81

The correlation between SPY and XLC shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPY vs. XLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPY	XLC
Technology	39.0%	4.7%
Financial Services	11.1%	-
Communication Services	10.6%	95.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	-
Healthcare	8.3%	-
Industrials	7.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	-
Energy	3.1%	-
Utilities	2.1%	-
Real Estate	1.8%	-
Basic Materials	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

SPY vs. XLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

XLC

XLC Risk / Return Rank: 22
XLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

SPY vs. XLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SPY	XLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	0.69	+1.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	1.08	+1.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.12	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	0.86	+1.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.39	2.73	+9.66

SPY vs. XLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPY Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is higher than the XLC Sharpe Ratio of 0.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPY and XLC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SPY vs. XLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPY drawdown since its inception was -55.19%, which is greater than XLC's maximum drawdown of -46.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPY and XLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPY	XLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.19%	-46.65%	-8.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-10.57%	+1.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-17.97%	-0.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.50%	-46.65%	+22.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.72%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.35%	-6.72%	+4.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.04%	-10.58%	+1.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	3.33%	-1.36%

Volatility

SPY vs. XLC - Volatility Comparison

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a higher volatility of 4.34% compared to Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) at 3.57%. This indicates that SPY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPY	XLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	3.57%	+0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	9.65%	-0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.29%	13.28%	-0.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	20.68%	-3.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.96%	22.17%	-4.21%

SPY vs. XLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPY has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than XLC's 0.13% 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

SPY vs. XLC - Dividend Comparison

SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than XLC's 1.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.25%	1.13%	0.99%	0.82%	1.10%	0.74%	0.68%	0.82%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPY and XLC in my portfolio?

SPY and XLC have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPY or XLC?

SPY has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to XLC (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPY dropped -55.19% vs XLC's -46.65%.

Which ETF is better, SPY or XLC?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.36% vs 8.03% for XLC. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, XLC has been the lower-risk option at 3.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPY or XLC?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.36% return vs 8.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPY or XLC?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for XLC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPY or XLC?

XLC has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 1.00% for SPY.

What is the main difference between SPY and XLC?

SPY is categorized as S&P 500, while XLC is Communications Equities. SPY tracks S&P 500 Index, while XLC tracks S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPY and 0.13% for XLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 0.69), 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.