XEL vs. XME

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XEL (Xcel Energy Inc.) is a stock, while XME (SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF) is Materials fund tracking the S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index. Over the past 10 years, XEL returned 9.69%/yr vs 18.52%/yr for XME. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

XEL vs. XME - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) and SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XEL achieves a 10.39% return, which is significantly higher than XME's 7.18% return. Over the past 10 years, XEL has underperformed XME with an annualized return of 9.69%, while XME has yielded a comparatively higher 18.52% annualized return.

XEL

• 1D: 1.93%
• 1M: -0.18%
• YTD: 10.39%
• 6M: 11.02%
• 1Y: 21.93%
• 3Y*: 12.73%
• 5Y*: 7.29%
• 10Y*: 9.69%

XME

• 1D: -3.75%
• 1M: -5.21%
• YTD: 7.18%
• 6M: 2.81%
• 1Y: 68.16%
• 3Y*: 32.34%
• 5Y*: 21.39%
• 10Y*: 18.52%

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

XEL vs. XME - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XEL Xcel Energy Inc.	10.39%	13.89%	12.32%	-8.67%	6.44%	4.40%	7.77%	32.37%	5.88%	21.91%
XME SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF	7.18%	83.47%	-4.54%	21.51%	13.13%	34.92%	15.95%	14.69%	-26.78%	21.17%

Correlation

The correlation between XEL and XME is 0.07, 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	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2006	0.19

The correlation between XEL and XME shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (1 year) to 0.19 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

XEL vs. XME — Risk / Return Rank

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

XEL

XEL Risk / Return Rank: 74
XEL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
XEL Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
XEL Omega Ratio Rank: 70
XEL Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
XEL Martin Ratio Rank: 76

XME

XME Risk / Return Rank: 54
XME Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
XME Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
XME Omega Ratio Rank: 50
XME Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
XME Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

XEL vs. XME - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) and SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME). 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.

	XEL	XME	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	1.89	-0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.79	2.40	-0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.31	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.92	3.03	-1.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.89	7.40	-2.50

XEL vs. XME - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XEL Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is lower than the XME Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XEL and XME, 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

XEL vs. XME - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XEL drawdown since its inception was -80.64%, smaller than the maximum XME drawdown of -85.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XEL and XME.

Drawdown Indicators

	XEL	XME	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.64%	-85.89%	+5.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.50%	-22.60%	+11.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.42%	-30.47%	+6.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.41%	-37.27%	+2.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.41%	-61.69%	+27.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.83%	-16.45%	+13.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.31%	-44.05%	+32.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	9.24%	-4.75%

Volatility

XEL vs. XME - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) is 6.90%, while SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) has a volatility of 14.26%. This indicates that XEL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XME based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XEL	XME	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.90%	14.26%	-7.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.45%	28.34%	-13.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.19%	36.35%	-17.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.81%	32.76%	-11.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.72%	32.91%	-11.19%

Dividends

XEL vs. XME - Dividend Comparison

XEL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.89%, more than XME's 0.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XEL Xcel Energy Inc.	2.89%	3.83%	2.43%	3.36%	2.78%	2.70%	2.58%	2.55%	3.09%	2.99%	3.34%	3.56%
XME SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF	0.34%	0.38%	0.65%	1.00%	1.64%	0.70%	0.99%	2.43%	2.23%	1.15%	1.02%	2.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XEL and XME in my portfolio?

XEL and XME have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XEL or XME?

XME has higher volatility (14.26%) compared to XEL (6.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XEL dropped -80.64% vs XME's -85.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XME currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.15), 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.