XAR vs. MSFT

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) is Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, while MSFT (Microsoft Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, XAR returned 18.45%/yr vs 24.39%/yr for MSFT. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

XAR vs. MSFT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XAR achieves a 16.10% return, which is significantly higher than MSFT's -18.85% return. Over the past 10 years, XAR has underperformed MSFT with an annualized return of 18.45%, while MSFT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.39% annualized return.

XAR

• 1D: -1.55%
• 1M: 3.65%
• YTD: 16.10%
• 6M: 18.39%
• 1Y: 41.63%
• 3Y*: 33.32%
• 5Y*: 16.58%
• 10Y*: 18.45%

MSFT

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -3.36%
• YTD: -18.85%
• 6M: -17.98%
• 1Y: -17.75%
• 3Y*: 6.16%
• 5Y*: 9.56%
• 10Y*: 24.39%

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

XAR vs. MSFT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	16.10%	46.15%	23.32%	23.79%	-5.02%	2.31%	6.18%	39.33%	-4.58%	33.00%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation	-18.85%	15.58%	12.93%	58.19%	-28.02%	52.48%	42.53%	57.56%	20.80%	40.73%

Correlation

The correlation between XAR and MSFT is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2011	0.39

The correlation between XAR and MSFT shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (1 year) to 0.40 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

XAR vs. MSFT — Risk / Return Rank

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

XAR

XAR Risk / Return Rank: 49
XAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
XAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
XAR Omega Ratio Rank: 44
XAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
XAR Martin Ratio Rank: 48

MSFT

MSFT Risk / Return Rank: 17
MSFT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
MSFT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
MSFT Omega Ratio Rank: 14
MSFT Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
MSFT Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

XAR vs. MSFT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). 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.

	XAR	MSFT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	-0.70	+2.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	-0.84	+3.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	0.89	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	-0.53	+2.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.81	-1.08	+7.89

XAR vs. MSFT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XAR Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is higher than the MSFT Sharpe Ratio of -0.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XAR and MSFT, 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

XAR vs. MSFT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XAR drawdown since its inception was -46.37%, smaller than the maximum MSFT drawdown of -69.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XAR and MSFT.

Drawdown Indicators

	XAR	MSFT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.37%	-69.38%	+23.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.22%	-33.91%	+16.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.73%	-33.91%	+14.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.40%	-37.15%	+4.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.37%	-37.15%	-9.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.32%	-27.46%	+23.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.78%	-21.78%	+15.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.13%	16.48%	-10.35%

Volatility

XAR vs. MSFT - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) has a higher volatility of 11.46% compared to Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 10.52%. This indicates that XAR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MSFT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XAR	MSFT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.46%	10.52%	+0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.56%	22.31%	+1.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.85%	25.42%	+2.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.66%	26.66%	-3.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.74%	27.06%	-2.32%

Dividends

XAR vs. MSFT - Dividend Comparison

XAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%, less than MSFT's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MSFT Microsoft Corporation	0.91%	0.70%	0.73%	0.74%	1.06%	0.68%	0.94%	1.20%	1.69%	1.86%	2.37%	2.33%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.31%	0.40%	0.66%	0.54%	0.50%	0.83%	0.63%	0.75%	1.19%	0.76%	1.09%	2.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XAR and MSFT in my portfolio?

XAR and MSFT have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XAR or MSFT?

XAR has higher volatility (11.46%) compared to MSFT (10.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XAR dropped -46.37% vs MSFT's -69.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs -0.70), 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.