XLFI vs. SPY

Last updated Jul 4, 2026

XLFI (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLFI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. XLFI is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLFI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

XLFI vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLFI) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLFI achieves a 1.06% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.80% return.

XLFI

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 6.35%
• 6M: 0.96%
• YTD: 1.06%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: -1.00%
• 6M: 9.60%
• YTD: 9.80%
• 1Y: 20.42%
• 3Y*: 20.32%
• 5Y*: 12.94%
• 10Y*: 15.34%

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

XLFI vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLFI State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	1.06%	5.40%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.80%	7.96%

Correlation

The correlation between XLFI and SPY is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.55

Return for Risk

XLFI vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLFI

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 63
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

XLFI vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLFI) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	XLFI	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.71	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.36	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.31	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.42	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	10.55	—

Drawdowns

XLFI vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLFI drawdown since its inception was -11.89%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLFI and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLFI	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.89%	-55.19%	+43.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.88%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.62%	-1.69%	+1.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.24%	-9.03%	+5.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.03%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XLFI	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.15%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.96%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.05%	12.55%	-0.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.05%	17.17%	-5.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.05%	17.93%	-5.88%

XLFI vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLFI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLFI vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

XLFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.52%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
XLFI State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	11.52%	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

Can I hold both XLFI and SPY in my portfolio?

XLFI and SPY have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XLFI or SPY?

On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLFI or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLFI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLFI or SPY?

XLFI has the higher dividend yield at 11.52%, compared with 1.01% for SPY.

What is the main difference between XLFI and SPY?

XLFI is categorized as Derivative Income, while SPY is S&P 500. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLFI and 0.09% for SPY.