XHE vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

XHE (SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XHE is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S&P Health Care Equipment Select Industry Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XHE returned 6.02%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XHE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

XHE vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF (XHE) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XHE achieves a -8.91% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, XHE has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 6.02%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

XHE

• 1D: -2.39%
• 1M: -0.92%
• YTD: -8.91%
• 6M: -10.99%
• 1Y: 1.37%
• 3Y*: -5.83%
• 5Y*: -8.97%
• 10Y*: 6.02%

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

XHE vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XHE SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF	-8.91%	-0.23%	5.08%	-6.23%	-23.34%	3.04%	32.91%	22.30%	8.90%	30.51%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between XHE and SPY is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 27, 2011	0.68

The correlation between XHE and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.54 (1 year) to 0.70 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XHE vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XHE	SPY
Healthcare	98.2%	8.3%
Financial Services	1.8%	11.1%
Industrials	1.7%	7.8%
Communication Services	1.4%	10.6%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	3.1%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	39.0%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

XHE vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

XHE

XHE Risk / Return Rank: 9
XHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
XHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
XHE Omega Ratio Rank: 9
XHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
XHE Martin Ratio Rank: 9

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

XHE vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF (XHE) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	XHE	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.06	2.16	-2.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.25	2.91	-2.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.39	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.08	3.01	-2.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.16	13.54	-13.37

XHE vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XHE Sharpe Ratio is 0.06, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XHE and SPY, 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

XHE vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XHE drawdown since its inception was -49.92%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XHE and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	XHE	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.92%	-55.19%	+5.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.29%	-8.88%	-9.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.62%	-18.76%	-13.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.92%	-24.50%	-25.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.92%	-33.72%	-16.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-39.61%	-1.75%	-37.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.34%	-9.04%	-4.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.42%	1.97%	+6.45%

Volatility

XHE vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF (XHE) has a higher volatility of 7.40% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that XHE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XHE	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.40%	4.64%	+2.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.50%	9.75%	+6.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.12%	12.43%	+9.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.56%	17.14%	+7.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.00%	17.99%	+5.01%

XHE vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

XHE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

XHE vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

XHE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
XHE SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF	0.06%	0.08%	0.04%	0.03%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.05%	0.09%	0.78%	0.17%	7.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XHE and SPY in my portfolio?

XHE and SPY have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XHE or SPY?

XHE has higher volatility (7.40%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XHE dropped -49.92% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, XHE or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.70% vs 6.02% for XHE. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XHE or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.70% return vs 6.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XHE or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XHE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XHE or SPY?

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.09% for XHE.

What is the main difference between XHE and SPY?

XHE is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. XHE tracks S&P Health Care Equipment Select Industry Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XHE and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 0.06), 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.