T vs. XLK

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

T (AT&T Inc.) 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, T returned 1.68%/yr vs 24.66%/yr for XLK. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

T vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AT&T Inc. (T) 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, T achieves a -11.25% return, which is significantly lower than XLK's 27.85% return. Over the past 10 years, T has underperformed XLK with an annualized return of 1.68%, while XLK has yielded a comparatively higher 24.66% annualized return.

T

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: -8.55%
• 6M: -6.48%
• YTD: -11.25%
• 1Y: -17.96%
• 3Y*: 19.78%
• 5Y*: 5.75%
• 10Y*: 1.68%

XLK

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: -0.52%
• 6M: 25.66%
• YTD: 27.85%
• 1Y: 44.41%
• 3Y*: 28.63%
• 5Y*: 20.22%
• 10Y*: 24.66%

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

T vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
T AT&T Inc.	-11.25%	13.97%	44.08%	-2.74%	5.76%	-8.09%	-21.37%	45.55%	-22.25%	-4.01%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	27.85%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between T and XLK is -0.35, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1998	0.36

The correlation between T and XLK shifts across timeframes, from -0.35 (1 year) to 0.36 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

T vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

T

T Risk / Return Rank: 14
T Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
T Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
T Omega Ratio Rank: 15
T Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
T Martin Ratio Rank: 8

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 66
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 64
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

T vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AT&T Inc. (T) 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.

	T	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.77	1.83	-2.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.98	2.33	-3.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.88	1.31	-0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.62	2.80	-3.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.43	8.44	-9.87

T vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current T Sharpe Ratio is -0.77, which is lower than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of T 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.

Drawdowns

T vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum T drawdown since its inception was -64.15%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for T and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	T	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.15%	-82.05%	+17.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.89%	-15.92%	-12.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.89%	-25.66%	-3.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.01%	-33.56%	+1.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.35%	-33.56%	-8.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.12%	-7.25%	-17.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.74%	-34.84%	+19.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.62%	5.27%	+7.35%

Volatility

T vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

AT&T Inc. (T) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) have volatilities of 10.03% and 10.45%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	T	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.03%	10.45%	-0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.84%	20.77%	-0.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.51%	24.41%	-0.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.37%	25.56%	-1.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.90%	24.79%	-0.89%

Dividends

T vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

T's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.22%, more than XLK's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
T AT&T Inc.	5.22%	4.47%	4.87%	6.62%	6.66%	8.46%	7.23%	5.22%	7.01%	5.04%	4.51%	5.46%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.43%	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 T and XLK in my portfolio?

T and XLK have a correlation of -0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, T or XLK?

XLK has higher volatility (10.45%) compared to T (10.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, T dropped -64.15% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs -0.77), 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.