UFOX vs. XLK

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

UFOX (Defiance Connective Technologies ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - UFOX tracks the BlueStar Connective Technologies Index while XLK tracks the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UFOX returned 16.95%/yr vs 18.87%/yr for XLK. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. UFOX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

UFOX vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Connective Technologies ETF (UFOX) 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, UFOX achieves a 24.91% return, which is significantly higher than XLK's 22.09% return.

UFOX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: -10.33%
• 6M: 20.27%
• YTD: 24.91%
• 1Y: 50.71%
• 3Y*: 34.01%
• 5Y*: 16.95%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.18%

XLK

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -2.90%
• 6M: 22.17%
• YTD: 22.09%
• 1Y: 37.14%
• 3Y*: 26.04%
• 5Y*: 18.87%
• 10Y*: 23.77%
• ALL TIME*: 10.21%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
UFOX Defiance Connective Technologies ETF	$4.02M	$3.58M	$4.72M
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	$1.61B	$1.67B	$2.22B

UFOX vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
UFOX Defiance Connective Technologies ETF	24.91%	34.83%	34.11%	21.83%	-27.26%	25.68%	29.78%	5.58%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	22.09%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	30.69%

Correlation

The correlation between UFOX and XLK is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 5, 2019	0.88

The correlation between UFOX and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

UFOX vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UFOX	XLK
Technology	76.1%	99.1%
Industrials	14.4%	0.1%
Communication Services	6.4%	0.9%
Real Estate	3.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.2%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

UFOX vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

UFOX

UFOX Risk / Return Rank: 58
UFOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
UFOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
UFOX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
UFOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
UFOX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 55
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 52
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 50

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

UFOX vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Connective Technologies ETF (UFOX) 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.

	UFOX	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	1.34	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	1.85	+0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.23	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.66	2.16	-0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.25	5.85	+0.40

UFOX vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UFOX Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is comparable to the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UFOX 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

UFOX vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UFOX drawdown since its inception was -33.90%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UFOX and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	UFOX	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.90%	-82.05%	+48.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.71%	-15.92%	-12.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.71%	-25.66%	-3.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.90%	-33.56%	-0.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.11%	-11.43%	-13.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.18%	-34.80%	+25.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.61%	5.86%	+1.75%

Volatility

UFOX vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Connective Technologies ETF (UFOX) has a higher volatility of 11.73% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 9.58%. This indicates that UFOX'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

	UFOX	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.73%	9.58%	+2.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.21%	21.81%	+4.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.05%	25.59%	+5.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.82%	25.75%	+0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.83%	24.90%	+0.93%

UFOX vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

UFOX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

UFOX vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

UFOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.48%, more than XLK's 0.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
UFOX Defiance Connective Technologies ETF	0.48%	0.56%	0.79%	1.40%	1.63%	1.17%	0.99%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.45%	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 UFOX and XLK in my portfolio?

UFOX 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, UFOX or XLK?

UFOX has higher volatility (11.73%) compared to XLK (9.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UFOX dropped -33.90% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, UFOX or XLK?

On 5-year performance, XLK leads with 18.87% vs 16.95% for UFOX. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLK has been the lower-risk option at 9.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UFOX or XLK?

Over the 5-year period, XLK has performed better with a 18.87% return vs 16.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UFOX or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for UFOX.

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

UFOX has the higher dividend yield at 0.48%, compared with 0.45% for XLK.

What is the main difference between UFOX and XLK?

UFOX tracks BlueStar Connective Technologies Index, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for UFOX and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UFOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 1.34), 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.