WRB vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

WRB (W. R. Berkley Corporation) is a stock, while XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, WRB returned 17.85%/yr vs 13.68%/yr for XLF. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

WRB vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in W. R. Berkley Corporation (WRB) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WRB achieves a -2.42% return, which is significantly lower than XLF's -1.10% return. Over the past 10 years, WRB has outperformed XLF with an annualized return of 17.85%, while XLF has yielded a comparatively lower 13.68% annualized return.

WRB

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 1.18%
• YTD: -2.42%
• 6M: -2.55%
• 1Y: -4.86%
• 3Y*: 23.61%
• 5Y*: 18.66%
• 10Y*: 17.85%

XLF

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 3.75%
• YTD: -1.10%
• 6M: -2.09%
• 1Y: 8.66%
• 3Y*: 19.81%
• 5Y*: 10.20%
• 10Y*: 13.68%

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

WRB vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WRB W. R. Berkley Corporation	-2.42%	23.02%	27.19%	0.25%	33.92%	27.39%	-3.14%	43.80%	5.96%	10.21%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-1.10%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%

Correlation

The correlation between WRB and XLF is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1998	0.52

Over the past year, the correlation between WRB and XLF has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

WRB vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

WRB

WRB Risk / Return Rank: 31
WRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
WRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
WRB Omega Ratio Rank: 27
WRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
WRB Martin Ratio Rank: 33

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 16
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 16
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

WRB vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for W. R. Berkley Corporation (WRB) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). 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.

	WRB	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.23	0.60	-0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.17	0.89	-1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.11	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.28	0.59	-0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.52	1.50	-2.02

WRB vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WRB Sharpe Ratio is -0.23, which is lower than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WRB and XLF, 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

WRB vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WRB drawdown since its inception was -69.33%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WRB and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	WRB	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.33%	-82.69%	+13.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.62%	-14.79%	-2.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.62%	-15.54%	-2.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.29%	-25.81%	-0.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.35%	-42.86%	-2.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.40%	-3.96%	-7.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.58%	-20.00%	+5.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.41%	5.78%	+3.63%

Volatility

WRB vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

W. R. Berkley Corporation (WRB) has a higher volatility of 7.05% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 4.12%. This indicates that WRB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WRB	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.05%	4.12%	+2.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.91%	11.27%	+3.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.37%	14.64%	+6.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.79%	18.58%	+4.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.57%	22.18%	+2.39%

Dividends

WRB vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

WRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.56%, more than XLF's 1.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
WRB W. R. Berkley Corporation	4.56%	2.64%	2.39%	2.73%	1.22%	2.44%	0.71%	2.43%	2.83%	2.16%	2.27%	0.86%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.82%	1.31%	1.42%	1.71%	2.04%	1.63%	2.03%	1.87%	2.08%	1.48%	21.10%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WRB and XLF in my portfolio?

WRB and XLF have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WRB or XLF?

WRB has higher volatility (7.05%) compared to XLF (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WRB dropped -69.33% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.59 vs -0.23), 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.