TOTL vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TOTL (State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TOTL is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by State Street, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. TOTL is actively managed, while XLU is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TOTL returned 1.65%/yr vs 9.22%/yr for XLU. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TOTL charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

TOTL vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF (TOTL) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TOTL achieves a -0.26% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 3.65% return. Over the past 10 years, TOTL has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 1.65%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.22% annualized return.

TOTL

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: -0.26%
• 6M: -0.05%
• 1Y: 4.31%
• 3Y*: 4.41%
• 5Y*: 0.64%
• 10Y*: 1.65%

XLU

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -5.24%
• YTD: 3.65%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 11.64%
• 3Y*: 13.76%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: 9.22%

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

TOTL vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TOTL State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF	-0.26%	7.68%	3.15%	5.55%	-11.59%	-1.00%	3.56%	6.93%	0.76%	3.55%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.65%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between TOTL and XLU is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 25, 2015	0.22

TOTL vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TOTL	XLU
Energy	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

TOTL vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

TOTL

TOTL Risk / Return Rank: 33
TOTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
TOTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
TOTL Omega Ratio Rank: 35
TOTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
TOTL Martin Ratio Rank: 30

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 24
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 23
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

TOTL vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF (TOTL) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.

	TOTL	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	0.81	+0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	1.18	+0.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.15	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.42	1.27	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.37	2.84	+1.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TOTL vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TOTL Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TOTL and XLU, 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

	TOTL	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.27	0.81	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	0.54	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35	0.48	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.40	-0.02

Drawdowns

TOTL vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TOTL drawdown since its inception was -16.48%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TOTL and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	TOTL	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.48%	-51.98%	+35.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.04%	-9.18%	+6.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.60%	-17.26%	+10.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.48%	-25.26%	+8.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.48%	-36.07%	+19.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.89%	-7.30%	+5.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.13%	-10.22%	+7.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.99%	4.11%	-3.12%

Volatility

TOTL vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF (TOTL) is 1.17%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.47%. This indicates that TOTL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TOTL	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.17%	5.47%	-4.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.45%	11.52%	-9.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.44%	14.57%	-11.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.59%	17.32%	-11.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.78%	19.25%	-14.47%

TOTL vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

TOTL has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

TOTL vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

TOTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.29%, more than XLU's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TOTL State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF	5.29%	5.23%	5.35%	4.85%	4.68%	3.07%	2.91%	3.31%	3.41%	3.00%	3.25%	2.67%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.71%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TOTL and XLU in my portfolio?

TOTL and XLU have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TOTL or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.47%) compared to TOTL (1.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TOTL dropped -16.48% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, TOTL or XLU?

On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 9.22% vs 1.65% for TOTL. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, TOTL has been the lower-risk option at 1.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TOTL or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, XLU has performed better with a 9.22% return vs 1.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TOTL or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for TOTL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TOTL or XLU?

TOTL has the higher dividend yield at 5.29%, compared with 2.71% for XLU.

What is the main difference between TOTL and XLU?

TOTL is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while XLU is Utilities Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for TOTL and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TOTL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 0.81), 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.