XLBI vs. XLB

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XLBI (State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLBI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street, while XLB is a Materials fund tracking the Materials Select Sector Index. XLBI is actively managed, while XLB is passively managed. Over the past year, XLBI returned 14.41% vs 18.42% for XLB. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. XLBI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLB.

Performance

XLBI vs. XLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLBI) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLBI achieves a 7.49% return, which is significantly lower than XLB's 12.12% return.

XLBI

• 1D: -1.27%
• 1M: -1.73%
• 6M: 3.94%
• YTD: 7.49%
• 1Y: 14.41%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.90%

XLB

• 1D: -2.34%
• 1M: -3.04%
• 6M: 3.20%
• YTD: 12.12%
• 1Y: 18.42%
• 3Y*: 7.78%
• 5Y*: 5.80%
• 10Y*: 9.81%
• ALL TIME*: 8.29%

*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)
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	$592.07M	$578.31M	$592.29M
XLBI State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$131.30K	$122.38K	$132.20K

XLBI vs. XLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLBI State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	7.49%	2.25%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	12.12%	1.02%

Correlation

The correlation between XLBI and XLB is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.96

The correlation between XLBI and XLB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

XLBI vs. XLB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLBI	XLB
Financial Services	100.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	84.6%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	15.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	1.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XLBI vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLBI

XLBI Risk / Return Rank: 38
XLBI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
XLBI Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
XLBI Omega Ratio Rank: 38
XLBI Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
XLBI Martin Ratio Rank: 43

XLB

XLB Risk / Return Rank: 39
XLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
XLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
XLB Omega Ratio Rank: 37
XLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
XLB Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

XLBI vs. XLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLBI) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). 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.

	XLBI	XLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	0.97	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.38	1.46	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.17	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.25	1.38	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.66	4.12	+0.54

XLBI vs. XLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLBI Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is comparable to the XLB Sharpe Ratio of 0.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLBI and XLB, 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

XLBI vs. XLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLBI drawdown since its inception was -10.62%, smaller than the maximum XLB drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLBI and XLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLBI	XLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.62%	-59.83%	+49.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.62%	-12.38%	+1.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.17%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.72%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.27%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.43%	-5.18%	+2.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.10%	-10.80%	+8.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	4.15%	-1.29%

Volatility

XLBI vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLBI) is 4.91%, while Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) has a volatility of 5.87%. This indicates that XLBI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLBI	XLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.91%	5.87%	-0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.38%	14.11%	-2.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.82%	17.72%	-3.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.92%	19.10%	-5.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.92%	20.67%	-6.75%

XLBI vs. XLB - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLBI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLB's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLBI vs. XLB - Dividend Comparison

XLBI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.88%, more than XLB's 1.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.68%	1.92%	1.92%	2.00%	2.26%	1.62%	1.72%	1.98%	2.20%	1.66%	1.95%	2.24%
XLBI State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	14.88%	7.71%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLBI and XLB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, XLBI and XLB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, XLBI or XLB?

XLB has higher volatility (5.87%) compared to XLBI (4.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLBI dropped -10.62% vs XLB's -59.83%.

Which ETF is better, XLBI or XLB?

On 1-year performance, XLB leads with 18.42% vs 14.41% for XLBI. On fees, XLB is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, XLBI has been the lower-risk option at 4.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLBI or XLB?

Over the 1-year period, XLB has performed better with a 18.42% return vs 14.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLBI or XLB?

XLB is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLBI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLBI or XLB?

XLBI has the higher dividend yield at 14.88%, compared with 1.68% for XLB.

What is the main difference between XLBI and XLB?

XLBI is categorized as Derivative Income, while XLB is Materials. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLBI and 0.13% for XLB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.97 vs 0.97), 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.