XLE vs. MSFT

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index, while MSFT (Microsoft Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, XLE returned 10.02%/yr vs 24.64%/yr for MSFT. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

XLE vs. MSFT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLE achieves a 31.32% return, which is significantly higher than MSFT's -14.48% return. Over the past 10 years, XLE has underperformed MSFT with an annualized return of 10.02%, while MSFT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.64% annualized return.

XLE

• 1D: 1.14%
• 1M: 4.72%
• YTD: 31.32%
• 6M: 30.37%
• 1Y: 44.35%
• 3Y*: 16.51%
• 5Y*: 20.33%
• 10Y*: 10.02%

MSFT

• 1D: -1.18%
• 1M: -0.60%
• YTD: -14.48%
• 6M: -15.77%
• 1Y: -11.77%
• 3Y*: 8.85%
• 5Y*: 11.09%
• 10Y*: 24.64%

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

XLE vs. MSFT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	31.32%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation	-14.48%	15.58%	12.93%	58.19%	-28.02%	52.48%	42.53%	57.56%	20.80%	40.73%

Correlation

The correlation between XLE and MSFT is -0.12, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 1998	0.28

The correlation between XLE and MSFT shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (1 year) to 0.28 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

XLE vs. MSFT — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 70
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 65
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 64

MSFT

MSFT Risk / Return Rank: 24
MSFT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
MSFT Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
MSFT Omega Ratio Rank: 20
MSFT Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
MSFT Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

XLE vs. MSFT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	XLE	MSFT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	-0.47	+2.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	-0.49	+3.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	0.94	+0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	-0.35	+4.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.59	-0.73	+11.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XLE vs. MSFT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLE Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is higher than the MSFT Sharpe Ratio of -0.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLE and MSFT, 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

	XLE	MSFT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.18	-0.47	+2.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.42	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34	0.91	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.74	-0.43

Drawdowns

XLE vs. MSFT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLE drawdown since its inception was -71.26%, roughly equal to the maximum MSFT drawdown of -69.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLE and MSFT.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLE	MSFT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.26%	-69.38%	-1.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.05%	-33.91%	+21.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.14%	-33.91%	+13.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.04%	-37.15%	+11.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.81%	-37.15%	-29.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.76%	-23.56%	+16.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.98%	-21.78%	+3.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.20%	16.13%	-11.93%

Volatility

XLE vs. MSFT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) is 7.07%, while Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) has a volatility of 10.25%. This indicates that XLE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSFT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLE	MSFT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.07%	10.25%	-3.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.58%	22.36%	-5.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.48%	25.31%	-4.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.03%	26.64%	-0.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.58%	27.06%	+2.52%

Dividends

XLE vs. MSFT - Dividend Comparison

XLE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.56%, more than MSFT's 0.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MSFT Microsoft Corporation	0.86%	0.70%	0.73%	0.74%	1.06%	0.68%	0.94%	1.20%	1.69%	1.86%	2.37%	2.33%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.56%	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

Can I hold both XLE and MSFT in my portfolio?

XLE and MSFT have a correlation of -0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLE or MSFT?

MSFT has higher volatility (10.25%) compared to XLE (7.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLE dropped -71.26% vs MSFT's -69.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs -0.47), 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.