XLC vs. LLY

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

XLC (Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund) is Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index, while LLY (Eli Lilly and Company) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, XLC returned 8.03%/yr vs 39.59%/yr for LLY. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

XLC vs. LLY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) and Eli Lilly and Company (LLY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLC achieves a -4.85% return, which is significantly lower than LLY's 5.78% return.

XLC

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: -4.66%
• YTD: -4.85%
• 6M: -3.59%
• 1Y: 10.19%
• 3Y*: 21.60%
• 5Y*: 8.03%
• 10Y*: —

LLY

• 1D: -2.41%
• 1M: 12.74%
• YTD: 5.78%
• 6M: 10.64%
• 1Y: 39.26%
• 3Y*: 37.45%
• 5Y*: 39.59%
• 10Y*: 33.45%

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

XLC vs. LLY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	-4.85%	23.08%	34.71%	52.82%	-37.63%	15.96%	26.90%	31.05%	-16.45%
LLY Eli Lilly and Company	5.78%	40.25%	33.30%	60.91%	34.26%	66.08%	31.04%	16.14%	35.81%

Correlation

The correlation between XLC and LLY is 0.09, 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	0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2018	0.26

The correlation between XLC and LLY shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (1 year) to 0.26 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

XLC vs. LLY — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLC

XLC Risk / Return Rank: 22
XLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Martin Ratio Rank: 24

LLY

LLY Risk / Return Rank: 73
LLY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
LLY Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
LLY Omega Ratio Rank: 71
LLY Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
LLY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

XLC vs. LLY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) and Eli Lilly and Company (LLY). 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.

	XLC	LLY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.69	1.07	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.08	1.62	-0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.22	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.86	1.72	-0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.73	4.28	-1.55

XLC vs. LLY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLC Sharpe Ratio is 0.69, which is lower than the LLY Sharpe Ratio of 1.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLC and LLY, 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

XLC vs. LLY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLC drawdown since its inception was -46.65%, smaller than the maximum LLY drawdown of -68.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLC and LLY.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLC	LLY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.65%	-68.24%	+21.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.57%	-23.64%	+13.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.97%	-34.48%	+16.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.65%	-34.48%	-12.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.48%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.72%	-2.41%	-4.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.58%	-19.21%	+8.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.33%	9.49%	-6.16%

Volatility

XLC vs. LLY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) is 3.57%, while Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) has a volatility of 9.27%. This indicates that XLC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LLY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLC	LLY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.57%	9.27%	-5.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.65%	27.16%	-17.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.28%	38.01%	-24.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.68%	32.46%	-11.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.17%	30.19%	-8.02%

Dividends

XLC vs. LLY - Dividend Comparison

XLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, more than LLY's 0.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LLY Eli Lilly and Company	0.57%	0.56%	0.67%	0.78%	1.07%	1.23%	1.75%	1.96%	1.94%	2.46%	2.77%	2.37%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.25%	1.13%	0.99%	0.82%	1.10%	0.74%	0.68%	0.82%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLC and LLY in my portfolio?

XLC and LLY have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLC or LLY?

LLY has higher volatility (9.27%) compared to XLC (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLC dropped -46.65% vs LLY's -68.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LLY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 vs 0.69), 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.