XLB vs. EART
XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) and EART (Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF) are both Materials funds - XLB tracks the Materials Select Sector Index while EART tracks the Solactive Rare Earth & Critical Materials Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XLB returned 11.71%/yr vs 21.75%/yr for EART. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLB charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EART.
Performance
XLB vs. EART - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XLB achieves a 14.35% return, which is significantly lower than EART's 17.65% return.
XLB
- 1D
- 0.21%
- 1M
- 1.93%
- YTD
- 14.35%
- 6M
- 17.15%
- 1Y
- 19.99%
- 3Y*
- 11.71%
- 5Y*
- 5.35%
- 10Y*
- 10.23%
EART
- 1D
- -1.81%
- 1M
- 2.78%
- YTD
- 17.65%
- 6M
- 28.34%
- 1Y
- 118.80%
- 3Y*
- 21.75%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
XLB vs. EART - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 14.35% | 9.94% | 0.15% | 12.46% | -3.63% |
EART Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF | 17.65% | 98.48% | -7.19% | -19.75% | -16.33% |
Correlation
The correlation between XLB and EART is 0.58, 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 | 0.58 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 27, 2022 | 0.61 |
The correlation between XLB and EART has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
XLB vs. EART — Risk / Return Rank
XLB
EART
XLB vs. EART - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) and Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF (EART). 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.
| XLB | EART | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.95 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.51 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.45 | -0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.62 | 4.59 | -2.97 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.06 | 14.55 | -9.50 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| XLB | EART | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.20 | 3.15 | -1.95 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.28 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.50 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.36 | 0.27 | +0.09 |
Drawdowns
XLB vs. EART - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XLB drawdown since its inception was -59.83%, which is greater than EART's maximum drawdown of -53.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLB and EART.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XLB | EART | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.83% | -53.68% | -6.15% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.38% | -26.03% | +13.65% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.17% | -37.20% | +14.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.72% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.27% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.28% | -10.88% | +7.60% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.84% | -29.15% | +18.31% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.96% | 8.19% | -4.23% |
Volatility
XLB vs. EART - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) is 5.73%, while Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF (EART) has a volatility of 11.14%. This indicates that XLB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EART based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| XLB | EART | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.73% | 11.14% | -5.41% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.85% | 31.37% | -18.52% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.78% | 37.95% | -21.17% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.94% | 33.97% | -15.03% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.65% | 33.97% | -13.32% |
XLB vs. EART - Expense Ratio Comparison
XLB has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than EART's 0.59% expense ratio.
Dividends
XLB vs. EART - Dividend Comparison
XLB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.69%, more than EART's 0.55% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EART Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF | 0.55% | 0.65% | 1.06% | 1.83% | 2.04% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 1.69% | 1.92% | 1.92% | 2.00% | 2.26% | 1.62% | 1.72% | 1.98% | 2.20% | 1.66% | 1.95% | 2.24% |
Frequently Asked Questions
XLB and EART have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EART has higher volatility (11.14%) compared to XLB (5.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLB dropped -59.83% vs EART's -53.68%.
On 3-year performance, EART leads with 21.75% vs 11.71% for XLB. On fees, XLB is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, XLB has been the lower-risk option at 5.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, EART has performed better with a 21.75% return vs 11.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XLB is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EART.
XLB has the higher dividend yield at 1.69%, compared with 0.55% for EART.
XLB tracks Materials Select Sector Index, while EART tracks Solactive Rare Earth & Critical Materials Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for XLB and 0.59% for EART.
EART currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.15 vs 1.20), 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.
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