UFOX vs. XTL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UFOX (Defiance Connective Technologies ETF) and XTL (SPDR S&P Telecom ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UFOX is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Connective Technologies Index, while XTL is a Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Telecom Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UFOX returned 24.01%/yr vs 19.82%/yr for XTL. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. UFOX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XTL.

Performance

UFOX vs. XTL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Connective Technologies ETF (UFOX) and SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UFOX achieves a 62.60% return, which is significantly higher than XTL's 56.08% return.

UFOX

• 1D: -2.52%
• 1M: 21.96%
• YTD: 62.60%
• 6M: 59.53%
• 1Y: 119.37%
• 3Y*: 48.73%
• 5Y*: 24.01%
• 10Y*: —

XTL

• 1D: -3.76%
• 1M: 5.66%
• YTD: 56.08%
• 6M: 62.03%
• 1Y: 130.19%
• 3Y*: 48.87%
• 5Y*: 19.82%
• 10Y*: 16.51%

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

UFOX vs. XTL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
UFOX Defiance Connective Technologies ETF	62.60%	34.83%	34.11%	21.83%	-27.26%	25.68%	29.78%	6.81%
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF	56.08%	44.95%	34.89%	-1.17%	-19.18%	21.58%	22.46%	-0.85%

Correlation

The correlation between UFOX and XTL is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2019	0.83

The correlation between UFOX and XTL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

UFOX vs. XTL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UFOX	XTL
Technology	77.9%	61.4%
Industrials	13.7%	-
Communication Services	5.0%	36.1%
Real Estate	3.3%	2.6%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

UFOX vs. XTL — Risk / Return Rank

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

UFOX

UFOX Risk / Return Rank: 96
UFOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
UFOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
UFOX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
UFOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
UFOX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

XTL

XTL Risk / Return Rank: 95
XTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
XTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
XTL Omega Ratio Rank: 92
XTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
XTL Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

UFOX vs. XTL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Connective Technologies ETF (UFOX) and SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL). 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.

	UFOX	XTL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.69	4.51	+0.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.33	4.87	+0.46
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.69	1.64	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.87	8.91	+1.97
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	43.09	40.85	+2.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UFOX vs. XTL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UFOX Sharpe Ratio is 4.69, which is comparable to the XTL Sharpe Ratio of 4.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UFOX and XTL, 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

	UFOX	XTL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.69	4.51	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98	0.79	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.70	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.92	0.53	+0.39

Drawdowns

UFOX vs. XTL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UFOX drawdown since its inception was -33.90%, smaller than the maximum XTL drawdown of -37.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UFOX and XTL.

Drawdown Indicators

	UFOX	XTL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.90%	-37.01%	+3.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.04%	-14.70%	+3.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.14%	-22.79%	-5.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.90%	-37.01%	+3.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.01%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.52%	-3.76%	+1.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.01%	-9.77%	+0.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	3.20%	-0.42%

Volatility

UFOX vs. XTL - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Connective Technologies ETF (UFOX) has a higher volatility of 9.95% compared to SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) at 8.96%. This indicates that UFOX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XTL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UFOX	XTL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.95%	8.96%	+0.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.25%	22.92%	-2.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.66%	29.07%	-3.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.61%	25.10%	-0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.22%	23.53%	+1.69%

UFOX vs. XTL - Expense Ratio Comparison

UFOX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than XTL's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

UFOX vs. XTL - Dividend Comparison

UFOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than XTL's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
UFOX Defiance Connective Technologies ETF	0.36%	0.56%	0.79%	1.40%	1.63%	1.17%	0.99%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF	0.83%	1.05%	0.62%	0.80%	0.74%	1.25%	0.88%	0.92%	1.90%	2.08%	1.11%	1.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UFOX and XTL in my portfolio?

UFOX and XTL have a correlation of 0.86, 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 XTL?

UFOX has higher volatility (9.95%) compared to XTL (8.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UFOX dropped -33.90% vs XTL's -37.01%.

Which ETF is better, UFOX or XTL?

On 5-year performance, UFOX leads with 24.01% vs 19.82% for XTL. On fees, UFOX is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, XTL has been the lower-risk option at 8.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UFOX or XTL?

Over the 5-year period, UFOX has performed better with a 24.01% return vs 19.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UFOX or XTL?

UFOX is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XTL.

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

XTL has the higher dividend yield at 0.83%, compared with 0.36% for UFOX.

What is the main difference between UFOX and XTL?

UFOX is categorized as Technology Equities, while XTL is Communications Equities. UFOX tracks BlueStar Connective Technologies Index, while XTL tracks S&P Telecom Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for UFOX and 0.35% for XTL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UFOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.69 vs 4.51), 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.