THNQ vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

THNQ (ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - THNQ tracks the ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence Index while XLK tracks the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, THNQ returned 17.90%/yr vs 23.83%/yr for XLK. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. THNQ charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

THNQ vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (THNQ) 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, THNQ achieves a 44.05% return, which is significantly higher than XLK's 36.47% return.

THNQ

• 1D: -2.20%
• 1M: 22.90%
• YTD: 44.05%
• 6M: 40.99%
• 1Y: 79.25%
• 3Y*: 37.91%
• 5Y*: 17.90%
• 10Y*: —

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)

THNQ vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
THNQ ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF	44.05%	29.83%	18.82%	56.81%	-39.84%	9.10%	58.41%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	36.47%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	37.27%

Correlation

The correlation between THNQ and XLK is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 12, 2020	0.85

The correlation between THNQ and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

THNQ vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	THNQ	XLK
Technology	71.6%	99.7%
Communication Services	10.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	-
Healthcare	5.6%	-
Financial Services	1.3%	-
Industrials	1.1%	0.1%
Real Estate	0.9%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.2%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

THNQ vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

THNQ

THNQ Risk / Return Rank: 80
THNQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
THNQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
THNQ Omega Ratio Rank: 76
THNQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
THNQ Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

THNQ vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (THNQ) 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.

	THNQ	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.01	3.24	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.58	3.92	-0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.52	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.33	4.22	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.31	14.16	+0.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

THNQ vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current THNQ Sharpe Ratio is 3.01, which is comparable to the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 3.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of THNQ 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

	THNQ	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01	3.24	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.96	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.06	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.42	+0.41

Drawdowns

THNQ vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum THNQ drawdown since its inception was -50.56%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for THNQ and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	THNQ	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.56%	-82.05%	+31.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.39%	-15.92%	-2.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.88%	-25.66%	-4.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.56%	-33.56%	-17.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.20%	-1.00%	-1.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.07%	-34.96%	+19.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.56%	4.74%	+0.82%

Volatility

THNQ vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (THNQ) has a higher volatility of 8.50% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 6.98%. This indicates that THNQ'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

	THNQ	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.50%	6.98%	+1.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.69%	16.68%	+4.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.47%	20.82%	+5.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.09%	24.90%	+4.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.66%	24.49%	+4.17%

THNQ vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

THNQ has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

THNQ vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

THNQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.14%, less than XLK's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
THNQ ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF	0.14%	0.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 THNQ and XLK in my portfolio?

THNQ and XLK have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, THNQ or XLK?

THNQ has higher volatility (8.50%) compared to XLK (6.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, THNQ dropped -50.56% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, THNQ or XLK?

On 5-year performance, XLK leads with 23.83% vs 17.90% for THNQ. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLK has been the lower-risk option at 6.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, THNQ or XLK?

Over the 5-year period, XLK has performed better with a 23.83% return vs 17.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, THNQ or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for THNQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, THNQ or XLK?

XLK has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.14% for THNQ.

What is the main difference between THNQ and XLK?

THNQ tracks ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence Index, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for THNQ and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.24 vs 3.01), 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.