XLE vs. RAYS

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) and RAYS (Global X Solar ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index, while RAYS is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Solactive Solar Index. Both are passively managed. XLE charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for RAYS.

Performance

XLE vs. RAYS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

XLE

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: -0.14%
• YTD: 29.56%
• 6M: 28.37%
• 1Y: 37.19%
• 3Y*: 16.18%
• 5Y*: 20.12%
• 10Y*: 9.91%

RAYS

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XLE vs. RAYS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	10.95%
RAYS Global X Solar ETF	0.00%

XLE vs. RAYS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLE	RAYS
Energy	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	0.9%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	21.4%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	66.9%
Utilities	-	6.8%

Return for Risk

XLE vs. RAYS — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 61
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 54
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 56

RAYS

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

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. RAYS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) and Global X Solar ETF (RAYS). 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	RAYS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.63	—	—

Drawdowns

XLE vs. RAYS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLE drawdown since its inception was -71.26%, which is greater than RAYS's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLE and RAYS.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLE	RAYS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.26%	0.00%	-71.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.05%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.14%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.04%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.81%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.01%	0.00%	-8.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.97%	0.00%	-17.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.32%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XLE	RAYS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.26%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.79%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.57%	0.00%	+20.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.05%	0.00%	+26.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.58%	0.00%	+29.58%

XLE vs. RAYS - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLE has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than RAYS's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLE vs. RAYS - Dividend Comparison

XLE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, while RAYS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RAYS Global X Solar 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	2.59%	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

Which ETF is better, XLE or RAYS?

On fees, XLE 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, XLE or RAYS?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for RAYS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLE or RAYS?

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.59%, compared with 0.00% for RAYS.

What is the main difference between XLE and RAYS?

XLE is categorized as Energy Equities, while RAYS is Alternative Energy Equities. XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index, while RAYS tracks Solactive Solar Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLE and 0.50% for RAYS.