XES vs. XLK

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XES (SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XES is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services Select Industry Index, while XLK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XES returned -2.88%/yr vs 23.77%/yr for XLK. Their 0.42 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. XES charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

XES vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF (XES) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XES achieves a 36.38% return, which is significantly higher than XLK's 22.09% return. Over the past 10 years, XES has underperformed XLK with an annualized return of -2.88%, while XLK has yielded a comparatively higher 23.77% annualized return.

XES

• 1D: 3.09%
• 1M: 4.23%
• 6M: 12.93%
• YTD: 36.38%
• 1Y: 76.64%
• 3Y*: 7.20%
• 5Y*: 17.17%
• 10Y*: -2.88%
• ALL TIME*: -3.56%

XLK

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -2.90%
• 6M: 22.17%
• YTD: 22.09%
• 1Y: 37.14%
• 3Y*: 26.04%
• 5Y*: 18.87%
• 10Y*: 23.77%
• ALL TIME*: 10.21%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
XES SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF	$5.46M	$8.52M	$12.51M
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	$1.61B	$1.67B	$2.22B

XES vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XES SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF	36.38%	5.89%	-5.44%	6.68%	62.03%	12.00%	-43.38%	-9.00%	-46.99%	-21.93%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	22.09%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between XES and XLK is 0.28, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2006	0.42

The correlation between XES and XLK shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (3 years) to 0.42 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XES vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XES	XLK
Energy	97.7%	0.2%
Industrials	2.3%	0.1%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	0.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	99.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XES vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

XES

XES Risk / Return Rank: 85
XES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
XES Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
XES Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XES Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
XES Martin Ratio Rank: 80

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 55
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 52
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 50

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

XES vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF (XES) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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.

	XES	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	1.34	+0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	1.85	+1.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.23	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.23	2.16	+1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.31	5.85	+4.45

XES vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XES Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is higher than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XES and XLK, 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

XES vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XES drawdown since its inception was -95.65%, which is greater than XLK's maximum drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XES and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	XES	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.65%	-82.05%	-13.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.48%	-15.92%	-5.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-45.95%	-25.66%	-20.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.95%	-33.56%	-12.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-91.23%	-33.56%	-57.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-73.66%	-11.43%	-62.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-54.50%	-34.80%	-19.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.73%	5.86%	+0.87%

Volatility

XES vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF (XES) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) have volatilities of 9.34% and 9.58%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XES	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.34%	9.58%	-0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.60%	21.81%	-0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.74%	25.59%	+5.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.63%	25.75%	+12.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.85%	24.90%	+19.95%

XES vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

XES has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

XES vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

XES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, more than XLK's 0.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XES SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF	1.17%	1.69%	1.31%	0.66%	0.36%	1.81%	1.33%	1.43%	1.14%	1.68%	0.64%	2.47%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.45%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XES and XLK in my portfolio?

XES and XLK have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XES or XLK?

XLK has higher volatility (9.58%) compared to XES (9.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XES dropped -95.65% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, XES or XLK?

On 10-year performance, XLK leads with 23.77% vs -2.88% for XES. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XES has been the lower-risk option at 9.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XES or XLK?

Over the 10-year period, XLK has performed better with a 23.77% return vs -2.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XES or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XES.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XES or XLK?

XES has the higher dividend yield at 1.17%, compared with 0.45% for XLK.

What is the main difference between XES and XLK?

XES is categorized as Energy Equities, while XLK is Technology Equities. XES tracks S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services Select Industry Index, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XES and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.34), 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.