PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
XLE vs. IXC
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XLE vs. IXC

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) and IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - XLE tracks the Energy Select Sector Index while IXC tracks the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLE returned 10.52%/yr vs 10.52%/yr for IXC. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. XLE charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for IXC.

Performance

XLE vs. IXC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) and iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with XLE having a 35.03% return and IXC slightly lower at 34.71%. Over a longer period, both investments have demonstrated similar performance, with their 10-year annualized returns being quite close: XLE at 10.52% and IXC at 10.52%.

XLE

1D
1.00%
1M
11.89%
6M
18.26%
YTD
35.03%
1Y
43.49%
3Y*
14.62%
5Y*
23.67%
10Y*
10.52%
ALL TIME*
8.87%

IXC

1D
0.63%
1M
13.16%
6M
19.17%
YTD
34.71%
1Y
45.16%
3Y*
16.60%
5Y*
22.34%
10Y*
10.52%
ALL TIME*
8.52%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

IXC

iShares Global Energy ETF
$40.96M$62.51M$57.88M

XLE

State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF
$1.70B$1.73B$1.97B

XLE vs. IXC - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XLE
State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF		35.03%7.88%5.56%-0.63%64.32%53.28%-32.67%11.74%-18.22%-0.89%
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		34.71%13.98%1.95%3.92%48.51%40.88%-31.00%12.67%-14.85%5.54%

Correlation

The correlation between XLE and IXC is 0.97 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.97

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.97

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.97

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.97

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2001

0.93

The correlation between XLE and IXC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

XLE vs. IXC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XLE
IXC

Energy

100.0%
99.5%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

0.2%

Energy

XLE
100.0%
IXC
99.5%

Basic Materials

XLE

-

IXC

-

Communication Services

XLE

-

IXC

-

Consumer Cyclical

XLE

-

IXC

-

Consumer Defensive

XLE

-

IXC

-

Financial Services

XLE

-

IXC

-

Healthcare

XLE

-

IXC

-

Industrials

XLE

-

IXC

-

Real Estate

XLE

-

IXC

-

Technology

XLE

-

IXC

-

Utilities

XLE

-

IXC
0.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF

iShares Global Energy ETF

Often compared with XLE:
XLE vs. VDEXLE vs. USOXLE vs. XOPXLE vs. XLUXLE vs. XLKXLE vs. FENYXLE vs. OIH
Often compared with IXC:
IXC vs. VDEIXC vs. IYEIXC vs. OIHIXC vs. IUES.LIXC vs. DDMIXC vs. VOOIXC vs. PXE

Return for Risk

XLE vs. IXC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
XLE
XLE Risk / Return Rank: 7676
Overall Rank
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8484
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 7979
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 7676
Omega Ratio Rank
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 7878
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
IXC
IXC Risk / Return Rank: 8282
Overall Rank
IXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9090
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXC Omega Ratio Rank: 8585
Omega Ratio Rank
IXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXC Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

XLE vs. IXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) and iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC). 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.

XLEIXCDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.95
2.22

-0.27

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.53
2.83

-0.30

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

1.36

-0.05

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.74

2.83

-0.09

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.32

8.78

-1.46

XLE vs. IXC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLE Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the IXC Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLE and IXC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

XLE vs. IXC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLE drawdown since its inception was -71.26%, roughly equal to the maximum IXC drawdown of -67.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLE and IXC.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

XLEIXCDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-71.26%

-67.88%

-3.38%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.98%

-15.36%

+0.38%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-20.14%

-19.06%

-1.08%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.04%

-24.93%

-1.11%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-66.81%

-64.16%

-2.65%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.13%

-3.05%

-1.08%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-17.93%

-17.42%

-0.51%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.62%

4.95%

+0.67%

Volatility

XLE vs. IXC - Volatility Comparison

State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) and iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) have volatilities of 5.85% and 6.07%, 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.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

XLEIXCDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.85%

6.07%

-0.22%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.71%

16.03%

+0.68%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

21.05%

19.61%

+1.44%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

25.77%

23.37%

+2.40%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

29.57%

26.82%

+2.75%

XLE vs. IXC - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLE has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than IXC's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLE vs. IXC - Dividend Comparison

XLE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.55%, less than IXC's 2.82% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		2.82%3.68%4.56%3.45%4.76%3.98%4.86%7.00%3.51%3.05%2.86%3.77%
XLE
State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF		2.55%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

With a correlation of 0.97, XLE and IXC move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

IXC has higher volatility (6.07%) compared to XLE (5.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLE dropped -71.26% vs IXC's -67.88%.

On 10-year performance, IXC leads with 10.52% vs 10.52% for XLE. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLE has been the lower-risk option at 5.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IXC has performed better with a 10.52% return vs 10.52%. 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 0.40% for IXC.

IXC has the higher dividend yield at 2.82%, compared with 2.55% for XLE.

XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index, while IXC tracks S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLE and 0.40% for IXC.

IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 1.95), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for XLE and IXC

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer