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XLF vs. XLFI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XLF vs. XLFI

Last updated Jul 17, 2026
Documentation

XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) and XLFI (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index, while XLFI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street. XLF is passively managed, while XLFI is actively managed. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. XLF charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLFI.

Performance

XLF vs. XLFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLFI). 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 4.51% return, which is significantly higher than XLFI's 2.85% return.

XLF

1D
0.34%
1M
4.78%
6M
5.28%
YTD
4.51%
1Y
10.81%
3Y*
19.83%
5Y*
11.37%
10Y*
13.55%

XLFI

1D
0.37%
1M
3.86%
6M
3.40%
YTD
2.85%
1Y
—
3Y*
—
5Y*
—
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XLF vs. XLFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025
XLF
State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF		4.51%4.44%
XLFI
State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF		2.85%5.40%

Correlation

The correlation between XLF and XLFI is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025

0.97

XLF vs. XLFI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XLF
XLFI

Financial Services

98.0%
99.9%

Technology

1.8%

-

Industrials

0.2%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Financial Services

XLF
98.0%
XLFI
99.9%

Technology

XLF
1.8%
XLFI

-

Industrials

XLF
0.2%
XLFI

-

Basic Materials

XLF

-

XLFI

-

Communication Services

XLF

-

XLFI

-

Consumer Cyclical

XLF

-

XLFI

-

Consumer Defensive

XLF

-

XLFI

-

Energy

XLF

-

XLFI

-

Healthcare

XLF

-

XLFI

-

Real Estate

XLF

-

XLFI

-

Utilities

XLF

-

XLFI

-

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State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF

State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF

Often compared with XLF:
XLF vs. SPYXLF vs. VFHXLF vs. KBWBXLF vs. XLVXLF vs. KREXLF vs. KBEXLF vs. JPM
Often compared with XLFI:
XLFI vs. EUFNXLFI vs. PBPXLFI vs. XLUXLFI vs. CHPYXLFI vs. FYEEXLFI vs. FXOXLFI vs. IVVW

Return for Risk

XLF vs. XLFI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XLF
XLF Risk / Return Rank: 2222
Overall Rank
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2525
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 2323
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 2323
Omega Ratio Rank
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 2020
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 2020
Martin Ratio Rank
XLFI

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

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. XLFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

XLFXLFIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.74

—

—

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.09

—

—

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.14

—

—

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.73

—

—

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

1.86

—

—

XLF vs. XLFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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Drawdowns

XLF vs. XLFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLF drawdown since its inception was -82.69%, which is greater than XLFI's maximum drawdown of -11.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLF and XLFI.

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Drawdown Indicators

XLFXLFIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-82.69%

-11.89%

-70.80%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.79%

—

—

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-15.54%

—

—

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.81%

—

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.86%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-19.95%

-3.13%

-16.82%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.81%

—

—

Volatility

XLF vs. XLFI - Volatility Comparison

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Volatility by Period

XLFXLFIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.13%

—

—

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.24%

—

—

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.64%

11.96%

+2.68%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.52%

11.96%

+6.56%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.06%

11.96%

+10.10%

XLF vs. XLFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLF has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than XLFI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLF vs. XLFI - Dividend Comparison

XLF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.42%, less than XLFI's 11.32% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
XLF
State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF		1.42%1.31%1.42%1.71%2.04%1.63%2.03%1.87%2.08%1.48%21.10%1.95%
XLFI
State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF		11.32%5.57%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.97, XLF and XLFI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

On fees, XLF is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XLF is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLFI.

XLFI has the higher dividend yield at 11.32%, compared with 1.42% for XLF.

XLF is categorized as Financials Equities, while XLFI is Derivative Income. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLF and 0.35% for XLFI.

Portfolio Optimizer

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