XLEI vs. SPY

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

XLEI (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLEI is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Energy Select Sector, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. At a correlation of -0.05, they often move in opposite directions. XLEI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

XLEI vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLEI achieves a 20.04% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.67% return.

XLEI

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: 4.13%
• 6M: 17.19%
• YTD: 20.04%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 0.31%
• 6M: 9.02%
• YTD: 10.67%
• 1Y: 21.60%
• 3Y*: 20.01%
• 5Y*: 13.24%
• 10Y*: 15.08%

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

XLEI vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	20.04%	6.17%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.67%	7.96%

Correlation

The correlation between XLEI and SPY is -0.05, 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	-0.05

XLEI vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLEI	SPY
Energy	100.0%	3.1%
Financial Services	98.4%	11.1%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Communication Services	-	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Healthcare	-	8.3%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	39.0%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

XLEI vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLEI

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 65
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

XLEI vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	XLEI	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.72	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.38	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.31	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.44	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	10.63	—

Drawdowns

XLEI vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLEI drawdown since its inception was -8.19%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLEI and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLEI	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.19%	-55.19%	+47.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.88%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.28%	-0.91%	-0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.90%	-9.02%	+7.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.04%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XLEI	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.58%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.02%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.11%	12.58%	+1.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.11%	17.17%	-3.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.11%	17.93%	-3.82%

XLEI vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLEI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLEI vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

XLEI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.06%, more than SPY's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	19.06%	10.17%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLEI and SPY in my portfolio?

XLEI and SPY have a correlation of -0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XLEI or SPY?

On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLEI or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLEI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLEI or SPY?

XLEI has the higher dividend yield at 19.06%, compared with 1.00% for SPY.

What is the main difference between XLEI and SPY?

XLEI is categorized as Energy Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. XLEI tracks S&P Energy Select Sector, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLEI and 0.09% for SPY.