SXLB.L vs. WMAT.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SXLB.L (SPDR S&P US Materials Select Sector UCITS ETF) and WMAT.L (SPDR MSCI World Materials UCITS ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds from State Street tracking the MSCI World/Materials NR USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SXLB.L returned 9.76%/yr vs 10.97%/yr for WMAT.L. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SXLB.L charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for WMAT.L.

Performance

SXLB.L vs. WMAT.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P US Materials Select Sector UCITS ETF (SXLB.L) and SPDR MSCI World Materials UCITS ETF (WMAT.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SXLB.L achieves a 12.57% return, which is significantly lower than WMAT.L's 15.22% return. Over the past 10 years, SXLB.L has underperformed WMAT.L with an annualized return of 9.76%, while WMAT.L has yielded a comparatively higher 10.97% annualized return.

SXLB.L

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.83%
• YTD: 12.57%
• 6M: 16.76%
• 1Y: 18.30%
• 3Y*: 11.15%
• 5Y*: 5.02%
• 10Y*: 9.76%

WMAT.L

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: 3.35%
• YTD: 15.22%
• 6M: 20.01%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 15.40%
• 5Y*: 6.81%
• 10Y*: 10.97%

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

SXLB.L vs. WMAT.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SXLB.L SPDR S&P US Materials Select Sector UCITS ETF	12.57%	10.91%	-0.67%	12.37%	-11.86%	26.98%	20.18%	23.16%	-15.68%	23.17%
WMAT.L SPDR MSCI World Materials UCITS ETF	15.22%	26.36%	-5.73%	14.40%	-10.02%	15.63%	20.67%	22.51%	-17.30%	29.05%

Correlation

The correlation between SXLB.L and WMAT.L is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2016	0.89

The correlation between SXLB.L and WMAT.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

SXLB.L vs. WMAT.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SXLB.L	WMAT.L
Basic Materials	91.5%	94.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	4.2%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	0.4%
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.4%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	0.6%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SXLB.L vs. WMAT.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

SXLB.L

SXLB.L Risk / Return Rank: 31
SXLB.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
SXLB.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
SXLB.L Omega Ratio Rank: 29
SXLB.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
SXLB.L Martin Ratio Rank: 32

WMAT.L

WMAT.L Risk / Return Rank: 47
WMAT.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
WMAT.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
WMAT.L Omega Ratio Rank: 46
WMAT.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
WMAT.L Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

SXLB.L vs. WMAT.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P US Materials Select Sector UCITS ETF (SXLB.L) and SPDR MSCI World Materials UCITS ETF (WMAT.L). 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.

	SXLB.L	WMAT.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	1.68	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	2.33	-0.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.29	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.60	2.07	-0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.74	7.86	-3.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SXLB.L vs. WMAT.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SXLB.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is lower than the WMAT.L Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SXLB.L and WMAT.L, 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

	SXLB.L	WMAT.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.11	1.68	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.35	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.56	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.58	-0.11

Drawdowns

SXLB.L vs. WMAT.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SXLB.L drawdown since its inception was -36.00%, smaller than the maximum WMAT.L drawdown of -38.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SXLB.L and WMAT.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	SXLB.L	WMAT.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.00%	-38.35%	+2.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.40%	-15.51%	+4.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.63%	-21.45%	-1.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.19%	-28.08%	+2.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.00%	-38.35%	+2.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.29%	-3.76%	+0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.84%	-7.20%	+0.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.85%	4.08%	-0.23%

Volatility

SXLB.L vs. WMAT.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P US Materials Select Sector UCITS ETF (SXLB.L) is 6.04%, while SPDR MSCI World Materials UCITS ETF (WMAT.L) has a volatility of 7.61%. This indicates that SXLB.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WMAT.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SXLB.L	WMAT.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.04%	7.61%	-1.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.37%	16.40%	-3.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.49%	19.16%	-2.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.84%	19.59%	-0.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.58%	19.48%	+0.10%

SXLB.L vs. WMAT.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

SXLB.L has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than WMAT.L's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

SXLB.L vs. WMAT.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither SXLB.L nor WMAT.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SXLB.L and WMAT.L in my portfolio?

SXLB.L and WMAT.L have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SXLB.L or WMAT.L?

On fees, SXLB.L is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SXLB.L or WMAT.L?

SXLB.L is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for WMAT.L.

What is the main difference between SXLB.L and WMAT.L?

Both ETFs track MSCI World/Materials NR USD. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for SXLB.L and 0.30% for WMAT.L.