XLC vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XLC (Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XLC returned 8.28%/yr vs 9.25%/yr for XLU. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XLC charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

XLC vs. XLU - 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 Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLC achieves a -4.49% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 3.11% return.

XLC

• 1D: -1.31%
• 1M: -3.46%
• YTD: -4.49%
• 6M: -2.02%
• 1Y: 11.67%
• 3Y*: 22.40%
• 5Y*: 8.28%
• 10Y*: —

XLU

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: -5.74%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 9.11%
• 3Y*: 13.74%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: 9.15%

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

XLC vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	-4.49%	23.08%	34.71%	52.82%	-37.63%	15.96%	26.90%	31.05%	-16.88%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.11%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	7.29%

Correlation

The correlation between XLC and XLU is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2018	0.28

The correlation between XLC and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.14 (1 year) to 0.28 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XLC vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLC	XLU
Communication Services	95.1%	-
Technology	4.7%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

XLC vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLC

XLC Risk / Return Rank: 24
XLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
XLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
XLC Omega Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
XLC Martin Ratio Rank: 26

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 19
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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. XLU - 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 Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.

	XLC	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.88	0.63	+0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.36	0.94	+0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.12	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.11	1.00	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.72	2.24	+1.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XLC vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLC Sharpe Ratio is 0.88, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLC and XLU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XLC	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88	0.63	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.54	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.40	+0.13

Drawdowns

XLC vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLC drawdown since its inception was -46.65%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLC and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLC	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.65%	-51.98%	+5.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.57%	-9.18%	-1.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.97%	-17.26%	-0.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.65%	-25.26%	-21.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.36%	-7.78%	+1.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.60%	-10.22%	-0.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	4.09%	-0.95%

Volatility

XLC vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) is 3.67%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that XLC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLC	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.67%	5.41%	-1.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.57%	11.53%	-1.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.26%	14.57%	-1.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.68%	17.32%	+3.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.20%	19.26%	+2.94%

XLC vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLC has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% 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. XLU - Dividend Comparison

XLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, less than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.72%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLC and XLU in my portfolio?

XLC and XLU have a correlation of 0.14, 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 XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to XLC (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLC dropped -46.65% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, XLC or XLU?

On 5-year performance, XLU leads with 9.25% vs 8.28% for XLC. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLC has been the lower-risk option at 3.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLC or XLU?

Over the 5-year period, XLU has performed better with a 9.25% return vs 8.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLC or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for XLC.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 1.25% for XLC.

What is the main difference between XLC and XLU?

XLC is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. XLC tracks S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for XLC and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.88 vs 0.63), 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.