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XLF vs. IYW
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XLF vs. IYW

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) and IYW (iShares U.S. Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index, while IYW is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLF returned 12.79%/yr vs 25.53%/yr for IYW. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLF charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IYW.

Performance

XLF vs. IYW - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLF achieves a -4.62% return, which is significantly lower than IYW's 22.81% return. Over the past 10 years, XLF has underperformed IYW with an annualized return of 12.79%, while IYW has yielded a comparatively higher 25.53% annualized return.

XLF

1D
-0.63%
1M
1.42%
YTD
-4.62%
6M
-1.98%
1Y
2.91%
3Y*
18.06%
5Y*
8.47%
10Y*
12.79%

IYW

1D
1.61%
1M
2.72%
YTD
22.81%
6M
20.20%
1Y
50.11%
3Y*
33.35%
5Y*
21.56%
10Y*
25.53%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XLF vs. IYW - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XLF
State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF		-4.62%14.90%30.56%12.03%-10.59%34.80%-1.74%31.88%-13.06%22.00%
IYW
iShares U.S. Technology ETF		22.81%25.38%30.25%65.44%-34.83%35.44%47.45%46.64%-0.93%36.60%

Correlation

The correlation between XLF and IYW is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.32

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.37

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.50

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.49

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2000

0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between XLF and IYW has dropped to 0.32 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF

iShares U.S. Technology ETF

Often compared with XLF:
XLF vs. SPYXLF vs. VFHXLF vs. KBWBXLF vs. XLVXLF vs. KREXLF vs. KBEXLF vs. JPM
Often compared with IYW:
IYW vs. VGTIYW vs. QQQIYW vs. XLKIYW vs. IGMIYW vs. SMHIYW vs. IWFIYW vs. SOXX

Return for Risk

XLF vs. IYW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XLF
XLF Risk / Return Rank: 1212
Overall Rank
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1212
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 1212
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 1212
Omega Ratio Rank
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 1212
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 1212
Martin Ratio Rank
IYW
IYW Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
IYW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8282
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYW Sortino Ratio Rank: 7373
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYW Omega Ratio Rank: 7676
Omega Ratio Rank
IYW Calmar Ratio Rank: 6262
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYW Martin Ratio Rank: 5858
Martin Ratio Rank
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. IYW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) and iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW). 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.

XLFIYWDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.20
2.40

-2.20

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.37
2.97

-2.60

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.05

1.40

-0.36

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.20

2.83

-2.63

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

0.51

9.20

-8.69

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. IYW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLF Sharpe Ratio is 0.20, which is lower than the IYW Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLF and IYW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

XLFIYWDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.20

2.40

-2.20

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.46

0.83

-0.38

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.58

1.02

-0.44

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.21

0.35

-0.14

Drawdowns

XLF vs. IYW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLF drawdown since its inception was -82.69%, roughly equal to the maximum IYW drawdown of -81.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLF and IYW.

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Drawdown Indicators

XLFIYWDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-82.69%

-81.90%

-0.79%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.79%

-17.81%

+3.02%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-15.54%

-26.47%

+10.93%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.81%

-39.44%

+13.63%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.86%

-39.44%

-3.42%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-7.38%

-5.70%

-1.68%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-20.02%

-34.64%

+14.62%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.71%

5.46%

+0.25%

Volatility

XLF vs. IYW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) is 4.20%, while iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) has a volatility of 8.86%. This indicates that XLF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IYW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

XLFIYWDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.20%

8.86%

-4.66%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.18%

17.10%

-5.92%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.61%

21.05%

-6.44%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.66%

26.01%

-7.35%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.18%

25.18%

-3.00%

XLF vs. IYW - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLF has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than IYW's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLF vs. IYW - Dividend Comparison

XLF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%, more than IYW's 0.11% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IYW
iShares U.S. Technology ETF		0.11%0.14%0.21%0.34%0.50%0.31%0.56%0.72%0.92%0.82%1.14%1.12%
XLF
State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF		1.52%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

XLF and IYW have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IYW has higher volatility (8.86%) compared to XLF (4.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLF dropped -82.69% vs IYW's -81.90%.

On 10-year performance, IYW leads with 25.53% vs 12.79% for XLF. On fees, XLF is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLF has been the lower-risk option at 4.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IYW has performed better with a 25.53% return vs 12.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

XLF is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for IYW.

XLF has the higher dividend yield at 1.52%, compared with 0.11% for IYW.

XLF is categorized as Financials Equities, while IYW is Technology Equities. XLF tracks Financial Select Sector Index, while IYW tracks Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLF and 0.38% for IYW.

IYW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 0.20), 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.

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