WLDR vs. XLK

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

WLDR (Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - WLDR is a Global Equities fund tracking the Thomson Reuters StarMine Affinity World Leaders Index, while XLK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, WLDR returned 18.46%/yr vs 20.60%/yr for XLK. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WLDR charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

WLDR vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF (WLDR) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with WLDR having a 29.78% return and XLK slightly lower at 29.35%.

WLDR

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 1.35%
• 6M: 25.70%
• YTD: 29.78%
• 1Y: 50.96%
• 3Y*: 30.20%
• 5Y*: 18.46%
• 10Y*: —

XLK

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 1.52%
• 6M: 27.43%
• YTD: 29.35%
• 1Y: 45.99%
• 3Y*: 30.12%
• 5Y*: 20.60%
• 10Y*: 24.88%

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

WLDR vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
WLDR Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF	29.78%	31.24%	22.74%	18.93%	-10.44%	26.77%	-1.93%	21.54%	-18.38%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	29.35%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-5.52%

Correlation

The correlation between WLDR and XLK is 0.67, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2018	0.60

The correlation between WLDR and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

WLDR vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WLDR	XLK
Technology	37.0%	99.7%
Financial Services	12.2%	-
Communication Services	10.1%	-
Industrials	8.1%	0.1%
Healthcare	8.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	7.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	5.9%	-
Energy	3.8%	0.2%
Basic Materials	3.1%	-
Utilities	2.4%	-
Real Estate	1.6%	-

Return for Risk

WLDR vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

WLDR

WLDR Risk / Return Rank: 94
WLDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
WLDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
WLDR Omega Ratio Rank: 92
WLDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
WLDR Martin Ratio Rank: 94

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 68
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 66
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

WLDR vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF (WLDR) 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.

	WLDR	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.96	1.88	+1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.93	2.39	+1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.32	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.66	2.86	+2.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.25	8.70	+12.56

WLDR vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WLDR Sharpe Ratio is 2.96, which is higher than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WLDR 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

WLDR vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WLDR drawdown since its inception was -44.69%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WLDR and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	WLDR	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.69%	-82.05%	+37.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.86%	-15.92%	+7.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.30%	-25.66%	+5.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.77%	-33.56%	+9.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.35%	-6.16%	+3.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.55%	-34.85%	+26.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.36%	5.23%	-2.87%

Volatility

WLDR vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF (WLDR) is 7.56%, while State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) has a volatility of 10.98%. This indicates that WLDR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WLDR	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.56%	10.98%	-3.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.14%	20.68%	-6.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.93%	24.26%	-7.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.52%	25.52%	-8.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.03%	24.77%	-3.74%

WLDR vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

WLDR has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

WLDR vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

WLDR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.17%, more than XLK's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
WLDR Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF	7.17%	9.01%	13.99%	2.28%	2.10%	7.55%	1.80%	2.48%	2.82%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.43%	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 WLDR and XLK in my portfolio?

WLDR and XLK have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WLDR or XLK?

XLK has higher volatility (10.98%) compared to WLDR (7.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WLDR dropped -44.69% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, WLDR or XLK?

On 5-year performance, XLK leads with 20.60% vs 18.46% for WLDR. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, WLDR has been the lower-risk option at 7.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WLDR or XLK?

Over the 5-year period, XLK has performed better with a 20.60% return vs 18.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WLDR or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.67% for WLDR.

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

WLDR has the higher dividend yield at 7.17%, compared with 0.43% for XLK.

What is the main difference between WLDR and XLK?

WLDR is categorized as Global Equities, while XLK is Technology Equities. WLDR tracks Thomson Reuters StarMine Affinity World Leaders Index, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. They also come from different issuers: Regents Park Funds and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.67% for WLDR and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WLDR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.96 vs 1.88), 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.