XLEI vs. ULST

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XLEI (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and ULST (State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLEI is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Energy Select Sector, while ULST is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg US Treasury Bellwether 3 Month Index. Both are passively managed. At a correlation of -0.31, they often move in opposite directions. XLEI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for ULST.

Performance

XLEI vs. ULST - 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 Ultra Short Term Bond ETF (ULST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLEI achieves a 20.42% return, which is significantly higher than ULST's 1.24% return.

XLEI

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 20.42%
• 6M: 20.06%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ULST

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 1.24%
• 6M: 1.57%
• 1Y: 3.99%
• 3Y*: 4.92%
• 5Y*: 3.51%
• 10Y*: 2.67%

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

XLEI vs. ULST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	20.42%	6.77%
ULST State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF	1.24%	2.00%

Correlation

The correlation between XLEI and ULST is -0.31, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2025	-0.31

Return for Risk

XLEI vs. ULST — Risk / Return Rank

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

ULST

ULST Risk / Return Rank: 99
ULST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
ULST Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
ULST Omega Ratio Rank: 99
ULST Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
ULST Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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. ULST - 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 Ultra Short Term Bond ETF (ULST). 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XLEI	ULST	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	6.14	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	3.67	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.86	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.65	1.50	+1.15

Drawdowns

XLEI vs. ULST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLEI drawdown since its inception was -7.98%, which is greater than ULST's maximum drawdown of -6.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLEI and ULST.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLEI	ULST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.98%	-6.20%	-1.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.24%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.54%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-1.22%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-6.20%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.97%	-0.05%	-0.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.52%	-0.16%	-1.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.05%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XLEI	ULST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.18%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.43%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.16%	0.65%	+12.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.16%	0.96%	+12.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.16%	1.45%	+11.71%

XLEI vs. ULST - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLEI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than ULST's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLEI vs. ULST - Dividend Comparison

XLEI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.59%, more than ULST's 4.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ULST State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF	4.29%	4.46%	5.03%	4.45%	1.70%	0.54%	1.34%	2.56%	2.13%	1.21%	0.93%	0.37%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	16.59%	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 ULST in my portfolio?

XLEI and ULST have a correlation of -0.31, 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 ULST?

On fees, ULST is cheaper at 0.20% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLEI or ULST?

ULST is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLEI.

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

XLEI has the higher dividend yield at 16.59%, compared with 4.29% for ULST.

What is the main difference between XLEI and ULST?

XLEI is categorized as Energy Equities, while ULST is Ultrashort Bond. XLEI tracks S&P Energy Select Sector, while ULST tracks Bloomberg US Treasury Bellwether 3 Month Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLEI and 0.20% for ULST.