XLE vs. GLTR
XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) and GLTR (abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index, while GLTR is a Precious Metals fund tracking the ETFS Physical Precious Metals Basket Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLE returned 9.80%/yr vs 10.23%/yr for GLTR. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XLE charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GLTR.
Performance
XLE vs. GLTR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XLE achieves a 31.38% return, which is significantly higher than GLTR's -13.15% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with XLE having a 9.80% annualized return and GLTR not far ahead at 10.23%.
XLE
- 1D
- 0.45%
- 1M
- 8.53%
- 6M
- 23.17%
- YTD
- 31.38%
- 1Y
- 39.01%
- 3Y*
- 14.81%
- 5Y*
- 23.06%
- 10Y*
- 9.80%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.77%
GLTR
- 1D
- 0.02%
- 1M
- -8.02%
- 6M
- -23.51%
- YTD
- -13.15%
- 1Y
- 25.28%
- 3Y*
- 25.50%
- 5Y*
- 13.25%
- 10Y*
- 10.23%
- ALL TIME*
- 5.60%
XLE vs. GLTR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 31.38% | 7.88% | 5.56% | -0.63% | 64.32% | 53.28% | -32.67% | 11.74% | -18.22% | -0.89% |
GLTR abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF | -13.15% | 87.25% | 20.63% | 2.01% | -0.25% | -9.60% | 29.52% | 20.96% | -2.85% | 12.94% |
Correlation
The correlation between XLE and GLTR is -0.02, 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 | -0.02 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2010 | 0.18 |
The correlation between XLE and GLTR shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.18 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
XLE vs. GLTR — Risk / Return Rank
XLE
GLTR
XLE vs. GLTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) and abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR). 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.
| XLE | GLTR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.23 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.45 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.15 | +0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.62 | 0.67 | +1.95 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.99 | 1.44 | +5.54 |
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Drawdowns
XLE vs. GLTR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XLE drawdown since its inception was -71.26%, which is greater than GLTR's maximum drawdown of -55.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLE and GLTR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XLE | GLTR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -71.26% | -55.70% | -15.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.98% | -37.87% | +22.89% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.14% | -37.87% | +17.73% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.04% | -37.87% | +11.83% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -66.81% | -37.87% | -28.94% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.72% | -37.40% | +30.68% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.95% | -28.86% | +10.91% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.60% | 17.58% | -11.98% |
Volatility
XLE vs. GLTR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) is 5.95%, while abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR) has a volatility of 8.35%. This indicates that XLE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| XLE | GLTR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.95% | 8.35% | -2.40% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.52% | 35.21% | -18.69% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.98% | 39.43% | -18.45% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.82% | 24.10% | +1.72% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 29.59% | 20.77% | +8.82% |
XLE vs. GLTR - Expense Ratio Comparison
XLE has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than GLTR's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
XLE vs. GLTR - Dividend Comparison
XLE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%, while GLTR has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLTR abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 2.62% | 3.28% | 3.36% | 3.55% | 3.68% | 4.21% | 5.62% | 6.72% | 3.54% | 3.03% | 2.26% | 3.39% |
Frequently Asked Questions
XLE and GLTR have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLTR has higher volatility (8.35%) compared to XLE (5.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLE dropped -71.26% vs GLTR's -55.70%.
On 10-year performance, GLTR leads with 10.23% vs 9.80% for XLE. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLE has been the lower-risk option at 5.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GLTR has performed better with a 10.23% return vs 9.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GLTR.
XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.62%, compared with 0.00% for GLTR.
XLE is categorized as Energy Equities, while GLTR is Precious Metals. XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index, while GLTR tracks ETFS Physical Precious Metals Basket Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and abrdn. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLE and 0.60% for GLTR.
XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 0.65), 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.
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