WTEL.L vs. XWTS.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

WTEL.L (SPDR MSCI World Telecommunications UCITS ETF) and XWTS.L (Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C) are both Communications Equities funds tracking the MSCI World/Comm Services NR USD, from State Street and Xtrackers respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, WTEL.L returned 10.79%/yr vs 10.80%/yr for XWTS.L. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. WTEL.L charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for XWTS.L.

Performance

WTEL.L vs. XWTS.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR MSCI World Telecommunications UCITS ETF (WTEL.L) and Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C (XWTS.L). 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 WTEL.L having a 3.74% return and XWTS.L slightly lower at 3.66%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with WTEL.L having a 10.79% annualized return and XWTS.L not far ahead at 10.80%.

WTEL.L

• 1D: 1.54%
• 1M: -0.94%
• YTD: 3.74%
• 6M: 3.36%
• 1Y: 25.46%
• 3Y*: 26.97%
• 5Y*: 10.79%
• 10Y*: 10.79%

XWTS.L

• 1D: 1.04%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 3.66%
• 6M: 3.22%
• 1Y: 24.71%
• 3Y*: 26.85%
• 5Y*: 10.80%
• 10Y*: 10.80%

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

WTEL.L vs. XWTS.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WTEL.L SPDR MSCI World Telecommunications UCITS ETF	3.74%	28.84%	35.03%	47.06%	-37.79%	15.91%	22.40%	26.15%	-9.97%	6.61%
XWTS.L Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C	3.66%	28.97%	34.65%	47.43%	-37.76%	16.03%	22.50%	26.25%	-10.06%	6.43%

Correlation

The correlation between WTEL.L and XWTS.L is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2016	0.98

The correlation between WTEL.L and XWTS.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

WTEL.L vs. XWTS.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WTEL.L	XWTS.L
Communication Services	99.1%	96.6%
Technology	0.4%	1.9%
Real Estate	0.3%	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	0.2%	0.1%
Financial Services	0.0%	-
Healthcare	0.0%	-
Industrials	0.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	-
Energy	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

WTEL.L vs. XWTS.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

WTEL.L

WTEL.L Risk / Return Rank: 49
WTEL.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
WTEL.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
WTEL.L Omega Ratio Rank: 47
WTEL.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
WTEL.L Martin Ratio Rank: 51

XWTS.L

XWTS.L Risk / Return Rank: 50
XWTS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
XWTS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
XWTS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 47
XWTS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
XWTS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

WTEL.L vs. XWTS.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI World Telecommunications UCITS ETF (WTEL.L) and Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C (XWTS.L). 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.

	WTEL.L	XWTS.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	1.69	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	2.59	+0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.29	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	2.17	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.43	8.66	-0.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WTEL.L vs. XWTS.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WTEL.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the XWTS.L Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WTEL.L and XWTS.L, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	WTEL.L	XWTS.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.71	1.69	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.57	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.60	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.61	+0.01

Drawdowns

WTEL.L vs. XWTS.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WTEL.L drawdown since its inception was -44.74%, roughly equal to the maximum XWTS.L drawdown of -44.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WTEL.L and XWTS.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	WTEL.L	XWTS.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.74%	-44.71%	-0.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.88%	-11.35%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.15%	-18.95%	-0.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.74%	-44.71%	-0.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.74%	-44.71%	-0.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.04%	-3.20%	+0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.95%	-8.84%	-0.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.01%	2.85%	+0.16%

Volatility

WTEL.L vs. XWTS.L - Volatility Comparison

SPDR MSCI World Telecommunications UCITS ETF (WTEL.L) has a higher volatility of 4.36% compared to Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C (XWTS.L) at 4.13%. This indicates that WTEL.L's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XWTS.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WTEL.L	XWTS.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.36%	4.13%	+0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.76%	10.57%	+0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.85%	14.57%	+0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.14%	19.07%	+0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.88%	17.97%	-0.09%

WTEL.L vs. XWTS.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

WTEL.L has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than XWTS.L's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

WTEL.L vs. XWTS.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither WTEL.L nor XWTS.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WTEL.L and XWTS.L in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, WTEL.L and XWTS.L move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, WTEL.L or XWTS.L?

On fees, XWTS.L is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, WTEL.L or XWTS.L?

XWTS.L is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for WTEL.L.

What is the main difference between WTEL.L and XWTS.L?

Both ETFs track MSCI World/Comm Services NR USD. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Xtrackers. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for WTEL.L and 0.25% for XWTS.L.