XLCI vs. XLU

Last updated Jul 3, 2026

XLCI (State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLCI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. XLCI is actively managed, while XLU is passively managed. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XLCI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

XLCI vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLCI) 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, XLCI achieves a -2.03% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 8.63% return.

XLCI

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -2.40%
• 6M: -2.03%
• YTD: -2.03%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLU

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: 4.90%
• 6M: 8.63%
• YTD: 8.63%
• 1Y: 15.81%
• 3Y*: 14.96%
• 5Y*: 10.69%
• 10Y*: 9.12%

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

XLCI vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLCI State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	-2.03%	6.73%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	8.63%	2.39%

Correlation

The correlation between XLCI and XLU is 0.10, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.10

XLCI vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLCI	XLU
Communication Services	100.0%	-
Financial Services	99.2%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

XLCI vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLCI

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 33
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 31
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

XLCI vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLCI) 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.

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.

	XLCI	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.07	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.51	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.19	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.73	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	3.64	—

Drawdowns

XLCI vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLCI drawdown since its inception was -8.44%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLCI and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLCI	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.44%	-51.98%	+43.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.18%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.26%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.26%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.01%	-2.84%	-2.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.84%	-10.21%	+8.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.35%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XLCI	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.68%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	12.07%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.48%	14.91%	-3.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.48%	17.33%	-5.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.48%	19.29%	-7.81%

XLCI vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLCI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLCI vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

XLCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.66%, more than XLU's 2.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLCI State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	11.66%	5.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.61%	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 XLCI and XLU in my portfolio?

XLCI and XLU have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XLCI or XLU?

On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLCI or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLCI.

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

XLCI has the higher dividend yield at 11.66%, compared with 2.61% for XLU.

What is the main difference between XLCI and XLU?

XLCI is categorized as Derivative Income, while XLU is Utilities Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLCI and 0.08% for XLU.