XLF vs. AXP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index, while AXP (American Express Company) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, XLF returned 12.38%/yr vs 18.10%/yr for AXP. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

XLF vs. AXP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) and American Express Company (AXP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLF achieves a -6.64% return, which is significantly higher than AXP's -18.32% return. Over the past 10 years, XLF has underperformed AXP with an annualized return of 12.38%, while AXP has yielded a comparatively higher 18.10% annualized return.

XLF

• 1D: -1.15%
• 1M: -1.38%
• YTD: -6.64%
• 6M: -4.18%
• 1Y: 1.13%
• 3Y*: 17.64%
• 5Y*: 7.61%
• 10Y*: 12.38%

AXP

• 1D: -3.34%
• 1M: -5.84%
• YTD: -18.32%
• 6M: -17.91%
• 1Y: 2.13%
• 3Y*: 22.71%
• 5Y*: 14.12%
• 10Y*: 18.10%

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

XLF vs. AXP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-6.64%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%
AXP American Express Company	-18.32%	25.99%	60.32%	28.67%	-8.52%	36.88%	-1.14%	32.52%	-2.62%	36.22%

Correlation

The correlation between XLF and AXP is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 1998	0.77

The correlation between XLF and AXP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XLF vs. AXP — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 9
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 9

AXP

AXP Risk / Return Rank: 40
AXP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
AXP Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
AXP Omega Ratio Rank: 36
AXP Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
AXP Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

XLF vs. AXP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) and American Express Company (AXP). 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.

	XLF	AXP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.08	0.08	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.20	0.29	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.04	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.08	0.09	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.20	0.20	0.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XLF vs. AXP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLF Sharpe Ratio is 0.08, which is comparable to the AXP Sharpe Ratio of 0.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLF and AXP, 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

	XLF	AXP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.08	0.08	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.48	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.57	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.28	-0.08

Drawdowns

XLF vs. AXP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLF drawdown since its inception was -82.69%, roughly equal to the maximum AXP drawdown of -83.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLF and AXP.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLF	AXP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.69%	-83.91%	+1.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.79%	-23.90%	+9.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.54%	-28.76%	+13.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.81%	-31.55%	+5.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.86%	-49.64%	+6.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.34%	-21.49%	+12.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.03%	-22.05%	+2.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.66%	10.77%	-5.11%

Volatility

XLF vs. AXP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) is 3.29%, while American Express Company (AXP) has a volatility of 5.19%. This indicates that XLF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AXP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLF	AXP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.29%	5.19%	-1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.94%	19.75%	-8.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.41%	26.01%	-11.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.63%	29.44%	-10.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.16%	31.81%	-9.65%

Dividends

XLF vs. AXP - Dividend Comparison

XLF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.56%, more than AXP's 1.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AXP American Express Company	1.13%	0.85%	0.91%	1.24%	1.35%	1.05%	1.42%	1.29%	1.51%	1.32%	1.61%	1.58%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.56%	1.31%	1.42%	1.71%	2.04%	1.63%	2.03%	1.87%	2.08%	1.48%	21.10%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLF and AXP in my portfolio?

XLF and AXP have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLF or AXP?

AXP has higher volatility (5.19%) compared to XLF (3.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLF dropped -82.69% vs AXP's -83.91%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AXP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.08 vs 0.08), 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.