PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
XLF vs. XLE
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

XLF vs. XLE

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE).

XLF and XLE are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. XLF is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Financial Select Sector Index. It was launched on Dec 16, 1998. XLE is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Energy Select Sector Index. It was launched on Dec 16, 1998. Both XLF and XLE are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

XLF vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

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

Loading graphics...

XLF vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XLF
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund		-9.40%14.90%30.56%12.03%-10.59%34.80%-1.74%31.88%-13.06%22.00%
XLE
State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF		37.91%7.88%5.56%-0.63%64.32%53.28%-32.67%11.74%-18.22%-0.89%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLF achieves a -9.40% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 37.91% return. Over the past 10 years, XLF has outperformed XLE with an annualized return of 12.44%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively lower 11.65% annualized return.

XLF

1D
2.09%
1M
-3.51%
YTD
-9.40%
6M
-7.56%
1Y
0.65%
3Y*
17.25%
5Y*
9.34%
10Y*
12.44%

XLE

1D
-1.13%
1M
10.27%
YTD
37.91%
6M
39.21%
1Y
35.32%
3Y*
17.71%
5Y*
23.99%
10Y*
11.65%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund

State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF

Often compared with XLF:
XLF vs. SPYXLF vs. VFHXLF vs. XLVXLF vs. KBWBXLF vs. KREXLF vs. IYFXLF vs. KBE
Often compared with XLE:
XLE vs. VDEXLE vs. USOXLE vs. XOPXLE vs. XLUXLE vs. XLKXLE vs. IXCXLE vs. FENY

XLF vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLF has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

XLF
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund
XLE
State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF

Return for Risk

XLF vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XLF
XLF Risk / Return Rank: 1414
Overall Rank
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1313
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 1313
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 1313
Omega Ratio Rank
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 1515
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 1515
Martin Ratio Rank
XLE
XLE Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7979
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 7676
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 7777
Omega Ratio Rank
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 7878
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLE 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. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

XLFXLEDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.03

1.42

-1.39

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

0.18

1.84

-1.66

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.02

1.28

-0.25

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

0.13

1.96

-1.83

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

0.38

5.16

-4.78

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. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLF Sharpe Ratio is 0.03, which is lower than the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLF and XLE, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Loading graphics...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

XLFXLEDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.03

1.42

-1.39

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.50

0.93

-0.42

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.56

0.40

+0.17

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.20

0.32

-0.12

Correlation

The correlation between XLF and XLE is 0.49, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

XLF vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

XLF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.60%, less than XLE's 2.44% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
XLF
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund		1.60%1.31%1.42%1.71%2.04%1.63%2.03%1.87%2.08%1.48%21.10%1.95%
XLE
State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF		2.44%3.28%3.36%3.55%3.68%4.21%5.62%6.72%3.54%3.03%2.26%3.39%

Drawdowns

XLF vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLF drawdown since its inception was -82.69%, which is greater than XLE's maximum drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLF and XLE.

Loading graphics...

Drawdown Indicators

XLFXLEDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-82.69%

-71.26%

-11.43%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.79%

-18.79%

+4.00%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.81%

-26.04%

+0.23%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.86%

-66.81%

+23.95%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-12.01%

-2.08%

-9.93%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-20.10%

-18.05%

-2.05%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.90%

7.14%

-2.24%

Volatility

XLF vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) is 4.75%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 5.05%. This indicates that XLF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading graphics...

Volatility by Period

XLFXLEDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.75%

5.05%

-0.30%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.45%

13.94%

-2.49%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.29%

24.93%

-5.64%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.69%

26.06%

-7.37%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.19%

29.48%

-7.29%