XLEI vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XLEI (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLEI is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Energy Select Sector, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XLEI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

XLEI vs. XLU - 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 Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLEI achieves a 20.69% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.65% return.

XLEI

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 1.27%
• YTD: 20.69%
• 6M: 19.80%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLU

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -5.24%
• YTD: 3.65%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 11.64%
• 3Y*: 13.76%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: 9.22%

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

XLEI vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	20.69%	6.77%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.65%	1.63%

Correlation

The correlation between XLEI and XLU is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2025	0.12

XLEI vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLEI	XLU
Financial Services	100.3%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

XLEI vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 24
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 23
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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. XLU - 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 Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.67	0.40	+2.27

Drawdowns

XLEI vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLEI drawdown since its inception was -7.98%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLEI and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLEI	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.98%	-51.98%	+44.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.18%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.26%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.26%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-7.30%	+6.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.52%	-10.22%	+8.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.11%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XLEI	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.47%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	11.52%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.13%	14.57%	-1.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.13%	17.32%	-4.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.13%	19.25%	-6.12%

XLEI vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLEI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLEI vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

XLEI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.55%, more than XLU's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	16.55%	10.17%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.71%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLEI and XLU in my portfolio?

XLEI and XLU 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 ETF is better, XLEI or XLU?

On fees, XLU 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, XLEI or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLEI.

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

XLEI has the higher dividend yield at 16.55%, compared with 2.71% for XLU.

What is the main difference between XLEI and XLU?

XLEI is categorized as Energy Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. XLEI tracks S&P Energy Select Sector, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLEI and 0.08% for XLU.