STE vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

STE (STERIS plc) is a stock, while XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Over the past 10 years, STE returned 12.74%/yr vs 25.84%/yr for XLK. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

STE vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in STERIS plc (STE) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STE achieves a -16.88% return, which is significantly lower than XLK's 36.47% return. Over the past 10 years, STE has underperformed XLK with an annualized return of 12.74%, while XLK has yielded a comparatively higher 25.84% annualized return.

STE

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -0.97%
• YTD: -16.88%
• 6M: -18.76%
• 1Y: -12.76%
• 3Y*: 1.75%
• 5Y*: 2.57%
• 10Y*: 12.74%

XLK

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 21.09%
• YTD: 36.47%
• 6M: 35.71%
• 1Y: 66.93%
• 3Y*: 33.90%
• 5Y*: 23.83%
• 10Y*: 25.84%

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

STE vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STE STERIS plc	-16.88%	24.57%	-5.60%	20.19%	-23.43%	29.47%	25.50%	44.09%	23.66%	31.73%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	36.47%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between STE and XLK is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 1998	0.42

Over the past year, the correlation between STE and XLK has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.42, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

STE vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

STE

STE Risk / Return Rank: 17
STE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
STE Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
STE Omega Ratio Rank: 17
STE Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
STE Martin Ratio Rank: 12

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 83
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

STE vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for STERIS plc (STE) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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.

	STE	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.54	3.24	-3.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.65	3.92	-4.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.52	-0.60
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.52	4.22	-4.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.27	14.16	-15.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

STE vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STE Sharpe Ratio is -0.54, which is lower than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 3.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STE and XLK, 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

	STE	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.54	3.24	-3.78
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.96	-0.86
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	1.06	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.42	-0.01

Drawdowns

STE vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STE drawdown since its inception was -77.22%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STE and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	STE	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.22%	-82.05%	+4.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.67%	-15.92%	-8.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.67%	-25.66%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.18%	-33.56%	-2.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.18%	-33.56%	-2.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.56%	-1.00%	-20.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.32%	-34.96%	+16.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.09%	4.74%	+5.35%

Volatility

STE vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

STERIS plc (STE) has a higher volatility of 7.74% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 6.98%. This indicates that STE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STE	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.74%	6.98%	+0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.14%	16.68%	+1.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.67%	20.82%	+2.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.79%	24.90%	+0.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.06%	24.49%	+0.57%

Dividends

STE vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

STE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, more than XLK's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
STE STERIS plc	1.17%	0.95%	1.06%	0.90%	0.97%	0.68%	0.81%	0.93%	1.22%	1.35%	1.57%	1.27%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.39%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STE and XLK in my portfolio?

STE and XLK have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STE or XLK?

STE has higher volatility (7.74%) compared to XLK (6.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STE dropped -77.22% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.24 vs -0.54), 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.