UPGR vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

UPGR (Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - UPGR tracks the Solactive United States Green Infrastructure ESG Screened Index - Benchmark TR Gross while XLE tracks the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, UPGR returned 54.50% vs 30.55% for XLE. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UPGR charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

UPGR vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF (UPGR) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UPGR achieves a 11.86% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 23.49% return.

UPGR

• 1D: -3.65%
• 1M: -4.59%
• YTD: 11.86%
• 6M: 7.79%
• 1Y: 54.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLE

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: -7.80%
• YTD: 23.49%
• 6M: 24.07%
• 1Y: 30.55%
• 3Y*: 15.73%
• 5Y*: 18.87%
• 10Y*: 9.37%

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

UPGR vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
UPGR Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF	11.86%	35.25%	-14.72%	-15.29%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	23.49%	7.88%	5.56%	1.54%

Correlation

The correlation between UPGR and XLE is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2023	0.23

The correlation between UPGR and XLE shifts across timeframes, from 0.04 (1 year) to 0.23 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

UPGR vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UPGR	XLE
Industrials	49.3%	-
Utilities	12.8%	-
Basic Materials	10.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.5%	-
Energy	10.0%	100.0%
Technology	3.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.5%	-
Financial Services	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

UPGR vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

UPGR

UPGR Risk / Return Rank: 54
UPGR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
UPGR Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
UPGR Omega Ratio Rank: 47
UPGR Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
UPGR Martin Ratio Rank: 48

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 42
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 39
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

UPGR vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF (UPGR) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

	UPGR	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	1.48	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	2.00	+0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.25	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.31	2.18	+1.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.71	6.53	+1.18

UPGR vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UPGR Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UPGR and XLE, 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

UPGR vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UPGR drawdown since its inception was -46.60%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UPGR and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	UPGR	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.60%	-71.26%	+24.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.55%	-14.05%	-2.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-20.14%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.04%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-66.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.70%	-12.32%	+1.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.31%	-17.96%	-2.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.09%	4.69%	+2.40%

Volatility

UPGR vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF (UPGR) has a higher volatility of 12.24% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) at 7.12%. This indicates that UPGR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UPGR	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.24%	7.12%	+5.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.16%	16.82%	+5.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.65%	20.93%	+10.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.85%	25.98%	+4.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.85%	29.60%	+1.25%

UPGR vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

UPGR has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

UPGR vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

UPGR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.29%, less than XLE's 2.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
UPGR Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF	0.29%	0.39%	1.16%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.79%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UPGR and XLE in my portfolio?

UPGR and XLE have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UPGR or XLE?

UPGR has higher volatility (12.24%) compared to XLE (7.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UPGR dropped -46.60% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, UPGR or XLE?

On 1-year performance, UPGR leads with 54.50% vs 30.55% for XLE. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLE has been the lower-risk option at 7.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UPGR or XLE?

Over the 1-year period, UPGR has performed better with a 54.50% return vs 30.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UPGR or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for UPGR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UPGR or XLE?

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.79%, compared with 0.29% for UPGR.

What is the main difference between UPGR and XLE?

UPGR tracks Solactive United States Green Infrastructure ESG Screened Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for UPGR and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UPGR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 1.48), 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.