SPYV vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPYV (SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPYV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Value, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPYV returned 11.90%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPYV charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

SPYV vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF (SPYV) 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, SPYV achieves a 7.46% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, SPYV has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 11.90%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.15% annualized return.

SPYV

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 2.22%
• YTD: 7.46%
• 6M: 7.77%
• 1Y: 21.26%
• 3Y*: 15.72%
• 5Y*: 10.68%
• 10Y*: 11.90%

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)

SPYV vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPYV SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF	7.46%	13.18%	12.24%	22.20%	-5.28%	24.91%	1.38%	31.70%	-9.01%	15.40%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.11%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between SPYV and XLU is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2000	0.51

The correlation between SPYV and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.37 (1 year) to 0.52 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPYV vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPYV	XLU
Technology	21.2%	-
Financial Services	14.7%	-
Healthcare	11.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	-
Industrials	10.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	-
Energy	7.4%	-
Utilities	4.4%	100.0%
Basic Materials	3.4%	-
Real Estate	3.3%	-
Communication Services	3.2%	-

Return for Risk

SPYV vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPYV

SPYV Risk / Return Rank: 66
SPYV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPYV Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SPYV Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPYV Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPYV Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

SPYV vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF (SPYV) 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.

	SPYV	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	0.63	+1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	0.94	+2.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.12	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.43	1.00	+2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.16	2.24	+10.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPYV vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPYV Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPYV and XLU, 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

	SPYV	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	0.63	+1.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	0.54	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.48	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.40	+0.03

Drawdowns

SPYV vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPYV drawdown since its inception was -58.45%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPYV and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPYV	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.45%	-51.98%	-6.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.22%	-9.18%	+2.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.54%	-17.26%	-0.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.89%	-25.26%	+7.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.89%	-36.07%	-0.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.57%	-7.78%	+7.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.72%	-10.22%	+1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.62%	4.09%	-2.47%

Volatility

SPYV vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF (SPYV) is 1.98%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that SPYV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPYV	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.98%	5.41%	-3.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.04%	11.53%	-4.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.84%	14.57%	-4.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.40%	17.32%	-2.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.94%	19.26%	-2.32%

SPYV vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPYV has a 0.04% 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

SPYV vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

SPYV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.70%, less than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPYV SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF	1.70%	1.77%	2.29%	1.75%	2.22%	2.10%	2.38%	2.25%	2.97%	2.77%	2.39%	2.53%
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 SPYV and XLU in my portfolio?

SPYV and XLU have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPYV or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to SPYV (1.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPYV dropped -58.45% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, SPYV or XLU?

On 10-year performance, SPYV leads with 11.90% vs 9.15% for XLU. On fees, SPYV is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SPYV has been the lower-risk option at 1.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPYV or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, SPYV has performed better with a 11.90% return vs 9.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPYV or XLU?

SPYV is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLU.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 1.70% for SPYV.

What is the main difference between SPYV and XLU?

SPYV is categorized as S&P 500, while XLU is Utilities Equities. SPYV tracks S&P 500 Value, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SPYV and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 0.63), 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.