XLI vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) is Industrials Equities fund tracking the Industrial Select Sector Index, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, XLI returned 14.15%/yr vs 13.22%/yr for BRK-B. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

XLI vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLI achieves a 13.90% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -2.67% return. Over the past 10 years, XLI has outperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 14.15%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively lower 13.22% annualized return.

XLI

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 2.79%
• YTD: 13.90%
• 6M: 13.10%
• 1Y: 25.17%
• 3Y*: 20.87%
• 5Y*: 12.93%
• 10Y*: 14.15%

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: -2.67%
• 6M: -2.06%
• 1Y: 0.35%
• 3Y*: 13.30%
• 5Y*: 11.27%
• 10Y*: 13.22%

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

XLI vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	13.90%	19.35%	17.31%	18.13%	-5.57%	21.08%	10.91%	29.08%	-13.25%	23.98%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-2.67%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between XLI and BRK-B is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1998	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between XLI and BRK-B has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

XLI vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLI

XLI Risk / Return Rank: 48
XLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
XLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
XLI Omega Ratio Rank: 46
XLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
XLI Martin Ratio Rank: 52

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 39
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
BRK-B 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.

XLI vs. BRK-B - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). 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.

	XLI	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	-0.02	+1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	0.08	+2.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.01	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.98	-0.02	+2.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.82	-0.05	+7.86

XLI vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLI Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLI and BRK-B, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

XLI vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLI drawdown since its inception was -62.26%, which is greater than BRK-B's maximum drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLI and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLI	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.26%	-53.86%	-8.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.21%	-9.42%	-2.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.49%	-14.95%	-3.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.64%	-26.58%	+4.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.33%	-29.57%	-12.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.24%	-9.36%	+8.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.20%	-11.07%	+1.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	4.53%	-1.44%

Volatility

XLI vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) has a higher volatility of 6.22% compared to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) at 3.95%. This indicates that XLI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BRK-B based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLI	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.22%	3.95%	+2.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.59%	10.78%	+2.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.17%	14.38%	+1.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.55%	17.12%	+0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.04%	19.44%	+0.60%

Dividends

XLI vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

XLI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, while BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.16%	1.29%	1.44%	1.63%	1.63%	1.25%	1.55%	1.94%	2.15%	1.77%	2.07%	2.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLI and BRK-B in my portfolio?

XLI and BRK-B have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLI or BRK-B?

XLI has higher volatility (6.22%) compared to BRK-B (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLI dropped -62.26% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs -0.02), 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.