SVOL vs. XLK
SVOL (Simplify Volatility Premium ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SVOL is a Volatility fund actively managed by Simplify, while XLK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. SVOL is actively managed, while XLK is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SVOL returned 6.22%/yr vs 22.02%/yr for XLK. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SVOL charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.
Performance
SVOL vs. XLK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SVOL achieves a -0.84% return, which is significantly lower than XLK's 28.52% return.
SVOL
- 1D
- 1.14%
- 1M
- 1.70%
- YTD
- -0.84%
- 6M
- 0.96%
- 1Y
- 14.90%
- 3Y*
- 5.92%
- 5Y*
- 6.22%
- 10Y*
- —
XLK
- 1D
- 0.87%
- 1M
- 2.95%
- YTD
- 28.52%
- 6M
- 28.96%
- 1Y
- 55.42%
- 3Y*
- 30.28%
- 5Y*
- 22.02%
- 10Y*
- 25.19%
SVOL vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SVOL Simplify Volatility Premium ETF | -0.84% | 2.41% | 6.77% | 22.88% | -3.30% | 12.70% |
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 28.52% | 24.61% | 21.63% | 56.02% | -27.73% | 33.14% |
Correlation
The correlation between SVOL and XLK is 0.63, 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 | 0.63 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 13, 2021 | 0.63 |
The correlation between SVOL and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SVOL vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank
SVOL
XLK
SVOL vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL) 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.
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.
| SVOL | XLK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.88 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.08 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.11 | 1.39 | -0.28 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.80 | 3.36 | -2.56 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.90 | 10.85 | -8.95 |
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Drawdowns
SVOL vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SVOL drawdown since its inception was -33.50%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SVOL and XLK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SVOL | XLK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.50% | -82.05% | +48.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.01% | -15.92% | +2.91% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -33.50% | -25.66% | -7.84% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.50% | -33.56% | +0.06% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -33.56% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.40% | -6.77% | +3.37% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.76% | -34.93% | +30.17% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.50% | 4.92% | +0.58% |
Volatility
SVOL vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL) is 3.48%, while State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) has a volatility of 10.86%. This indicates that SVOL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SVOL | XLK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.48% | 10.86% | -7.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.95% | 18.92% | -8.97% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.81% | 22.55% | -1.74% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.01% | 25.18% | -3.17% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.90% | 24.64% | -2.74% |
SVOL vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison
SVOL has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
SVOL vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison
SVOL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 22.19%, more than XLK's 0.41% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SVOL Simplify Volatility Premium ETF | 22.19% | 19.82% | 16.79% | 16.36% | 18.32% | 4.65% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.41% | 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
SVOL and XLK have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XLK has higher volatility (10.86%) compared to SVOL (3.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SVOL dropped -33.50% vs XLK's -82.05%.
On 5-year performance, XLK leads with 22.02% vs 6.22% for SVOL. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, SVOL has been the lower-risk option at 3.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, XLK has performed better with a 22.02% return vs 6.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SVOL.
SVOL has the higher dividend yield at 22.19%, compared with 0.41% for XLK.
SVOL is categorized as Volatility, while XLK is Technology Equities. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SVOL and 0.08% for XLK.
XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 0.50), 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.
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