V vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

V (Visa Inc.) is a stock, while XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, V returned 15.98%/yr vs 9.20%/yr for XLU. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

V vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Visa Inc. (V) 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, V achieves a -7.69% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 5.04% return. Over the past 10 years, V has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 15.98%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.20% annualized return.

V

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: -0.04%
• YTD: -7.69%
• 6M: -6.93%
• 1Y: -7.91%
• 3Y*: 13.87%
• 5Y*: 7.33%
• 10Y*: 15.98%

XLU

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: -0.82%
• 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)

V vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
V Visa Inc.	-7.69%	11.76%	22.32%	26.31%	-3.40%	-0.31%	17.12%	43.33%	16.49%	47.18%
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 V and XLU is 0.10, 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	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 19, 2008	0.31

Over the past year, the correlation between V and XLU has dropped to 0.10 - well below their long-term average of 0.31, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

V vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

V

V Risk / Return Rank: 15
V Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
V Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
V Omega Ratio Rank: 18
V Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
V Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

V vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Visa Inc. (V) 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.

	V	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.56	0.81	-1.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.68	1.18	-1.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.15	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.73	1.30	-2.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.57	2.80	-4.37

V vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current V Sharpe Ratio is -0.56, which is lower than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of V 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

V vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum V drawdown since its inception was -51.90%, roughly equal to the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for V and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	V	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.90%	-51.98%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.18%	-9.18%	-8.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.38%	-17.26%	-3.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.60%	-25.26%	-3.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.36%	-36.07%	-0.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.96%	-6.05%	-6.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.26%	-10.22%	+1.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.73%	4.25%	+6.48%

Volatility

V vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

Visa Inc. (V) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) have volatilities of 5.57% and 5.59%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	V	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.57%	5.59%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.57%	11.68%	+5.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.35%	14.66%	+7.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.82%	17.34%	+5.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.45%	19.27%	+5.18%

Dividends

V vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

V's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.81%, less than XLU's 2.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
V Visa Inc.	0.81%	0.70%	0.68%	0.72%	0.76%	0.62%	0.56%	0.56%	0.67%	0.61%	0.75%	0.64%
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 V and XLU in my portfolio?

V and XLU have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, V or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to V (5.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, V dropped -51.90% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.81 vs -0.56), 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.