XAR vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XAR is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XAR returned 18.01%/yr vs 10.22%/yr for XLE. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XAR charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

XAR vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XAR achieves a 13.40% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 32.17% return. Over the past 10 years, XAR has outperformed XLE with an annualized return of 18.01%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively lower 10.22% annualized return.

XAR

• 1D: -2.08%
• 1M: 7.34%
• YTD: 13.40%
• 6M: 20.10%
• 1Y: 41.33%
• 3Y*: 34.11%
• 5Y*: 16.26%
• 10Y*: 18.01%

XLE

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: -1.14%
• YTD: 32.17%
• 6M: 29.80%
• 1Y: 45.00%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 20.44%
• 10Y*: 10.22%

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

XAR vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	13.40%	46.15%	23.32%	23.79%	-5.02%	2.31%	6.18%	39.33%	-4.58%	33.00%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	32.17%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between XAR and XLE is -0.00, 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	-0.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2011	0.46

The correlation between XAR and XLE shifts across timeframes, from -0.00 (1 year) to 0.46 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XAR vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XAR	XLE
Industrials	99.4%	-
Technology	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	100.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XAR vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

XAR

XAR Risk / Return Rank: 43
XAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
XAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
XAR Omega Ratio Rank: 38
XAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
XAR Martin Ratio Rank: 42

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 63
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 56
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

	XAR	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	2.21	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	2.84	-0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.35	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	3.75	-1.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.85	10.92	-4.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XAR vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XAR Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XAR and XLE, 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

	XAR	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	2.21	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.79	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.35	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.31	+0.54

Drawdowns

XAR vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XAR drawdown since its inception was -46.37%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XAR and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	XAR	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.37%	-71.26%	+24.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.22%	-12.05%	-5.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.73%	-20.14%	+0.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.40%	-26.04%	-6.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.37%	-66.81%	+20.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.55%	-6.15%	-0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.79%	-17.98%	+11.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.05%	4.14%	+1.91%

Volatility

XAR vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) has a higher volatility of 9.52% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) at 8.25%. This indicates that XAR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XAR	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.52%	8.25%	+1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.39%	16.58%	+5.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.81%	20.53%	+6.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.41%	26.02%	-2.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.62%	29.59%	-4.97%

XAR vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

XAR has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

XAR vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

XAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%, less than XLE's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.32%	0.40%	0.66%	0.54%	0.50%	0.83%	0.63%	0.75%	1.19%	0.76%	1.09%	2.31%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.54%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XAR and XLE in my portfolio?

XAR and XLE have a correlation of -0.00, 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 XLE?

XAR has higher volatility (9.52%) compared to XLE (8.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XAR dropped -46.37% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, XAR or XLE?

On 10-year performance, XAR leads with 18.01% vs 10.22% for XLE. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLE has been the lower-risk option at 8.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XAR or XLE?

Over the 10-year period, XAR has performed better with a 18.01% return vs 10.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XAR or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XAR or XLE?

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.54%, compared with 0.32% for XAR.

What is the main difference between XAR and XLE?

XAR is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while XLE is Energy Equities. XAR tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XAR and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.55), 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.