XLC vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

XLC (Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLC is a Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XLC returned 7.11%/yr vs 13.51%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XLC charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

XLC vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) 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, XLC achieves a -8.70% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.74% return.

XLC

• 1D: -2.11%
• 1M: -7.21%
• YTD: -8.70%
• 6M: -7.87%
• 1Y: 5.47%
• 3Y*: 19.94%
• 5Y*: 7.11%
• 10Y*: —

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)

XLC vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	-8.70%	23.08%	34.71%	52.82%	-37.63%	15.96%	26.90%	31.05%	-16.45%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-8.69%

Correlation

The correlation between XLC and SPY is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2018	0.81

The correlation between XLC and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XLC vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLC	SPY
Communication Services	95.6%	10.6%
Technology	4.2%	39.0%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	3.1%
Financial Services	-	11.1%
Healthcare	-	8.3%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

XLC vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLC

XLC Risk / Return Rank: 14
XLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
XLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
XLC Omega Ratio Rank: 13
XLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
XLC Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

XLC vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	XLC	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.41	2.16	-1.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.66	2.91	-2.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.39	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.52	3.01	-2.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.56	13.54	-11.98

XLC vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLC Sharpe Ratio is 0.41, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLC 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

XLC vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLC drawdown since its inception was -46.65%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLC and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLC	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.65%	-55.19%	+8.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.57%	-8.88%	-1.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.97%	-18.76%	+0.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.65%	-24.50%	-22.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.49%	-1.75%	-8.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.57%	-9.04%	-1.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.52%	1.97%	+1.55%

Volatility

XLC vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 4.63% and 4.64%, 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

	XLC	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.63%	4.64%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.25%	9.75%	+0.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.57%	12.43%	+1.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.74%	17.14%	+3.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.18%	17.99%	+4.19%

XLC vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLC has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XLC vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

XLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.57%, more 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%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.34%	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 SPY in my portfolio?

XLC and SPY have a correlation of 0.63, 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 SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to XLC (4.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLC dropped -46.65% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, XLC or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.51% vs 7.11% for XLC. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLC or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.51% return vs 7.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLC or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for XLC.

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

XLC has the higher dividend yield at 1.57%, compared with 1.01% for SPY.

What is the main difference between XLC and SPY?

XLC is categorized as Communications Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. XLC tracks S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for XLC and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 0.41), 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.