URA vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

URA (Global X Uranium ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URA is a Uranium fund tracking the Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, URA returned 15.90%/yr vs 9.20%/yr for XLU. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. URA charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

URA vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Uranium ETF (URA) 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, URA achieves a 6.53% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 5.04% return. Over the past 10 years, URA has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 15.90%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.20% annualized return.

URA

• 1D: 1.54%
• 1M: -13.30%
• YTD: 6.53%
• 6M: 3.57%
• 1Y: 32.00%
• 3Y*: 32.17%
• 5Y*: 18.77%
• 10Y*: 15.90%

XLU

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: 1.50%
• YTD: 5.04%
• 6M: 5.48%
• 1Y: 12.50%
• 3Y*: 13.79%
• 5Y*: 9.41%
• 10Y*: 9.20%

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

URA vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
URA Global X Uranium ETF	6.53%	67.18%	-0.58%	46.25%	-11.32%	57.57%	41.33%	-3.54%	-22.11%	19.36%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	5.04%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between URA and XLU is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2010	0.21

URA vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URA	XLU
Energy	64.2%	-
Industrials	22.7%	-
Utilities	7.4%	100.0%
Basic Materials	4.8%	-
Technology	0.9%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

URA vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

URA

URA Risk / Return Rank: 23
URA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
URA Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
URA Omega Ratio Rank: 23
URA Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
URA Martin Ratio Rank: 21

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 26
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

URA vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Uranium ETF (URA) 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.

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.

	URA	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	0.81	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.21	1.18	+0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.15	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.04	1.30	-0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.30	2.80	-0.50

URA vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URA Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is comparable to the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URA 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.

Drawdowns

URA vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URA drawdown since its inception was -93.54%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URA and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	URA	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-93.54%	-51.98%	-41.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.48%	-9.18%	-22.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.81%	-17.26%	-20.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.90%	-25.26%	-12.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.45%	-36.07%	-25.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-48.34%	-6.05%	-42.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-74.94%	-10.22%	-64.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.12%	4.25%	+9.87%

Volatility

URA vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

Global X Uranium ETF (URA) has a higher volatility of 17.69% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.59%. This indicates that URA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	URA	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.69%	5.59%	+12.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.95%	11.68%	+28.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.24%	14.66%	+36.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	43.96%	17.34%	+26.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.91%	19.27%	+18.64%

URA vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

URA has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

URA vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

URA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, more than XLU's 2.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
URA Global X Uranium ETF	4.58%	4.88%	2.86%	6.07%	0.76%	5.84%	1.69%	1.66%	0.44%	2.03%	7.28%	1.96%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.67%	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 URA and XLU in my portfolio?

URA and XLU have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, URA or XLU?

URA has higher volatility (17.69%) compared to XLU (5.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URA dropped -93.54% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, URA or XLU?

On 10-year performance, URA leads with 15.90% vs 9.20% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URA or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, URA has performed better with a 15.90% return vs 9.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URA or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for URA.

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

URA has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 2.67% for XLU.

What is the main difference between URA and XLU?

URA is categorized as Uranium, while XLU is Utilities Equities. URA tracks Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for URA and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.81 vs 0.64), 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.