PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
XLI vs. FTXR
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XLI vs. FTXR

Last updated Jul 17, 2026
Documentation

XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) and FTXR (First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds - XLI tracks the Industrial Select Sector Index while FTXR tracks the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Transportation Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XLI returned 13.77%/yr vs 9.44%/yr for FTXR. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLI charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXR.

Performance

XLI vs. FTXR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) and First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLI achieves a 16.75% return, which is significantly lower than FTXR's 18.26% return.

XLI

1D
0.05%
1M
0.41%
6M
9.24%
YTD
16.75%
1Y
21.32%
3Y*
19.94%
5Y*
13.77%
10Y*
13.82%

FTXR

1D
1.78%
1M
1.36%
6M
12.83%
YTD
18.26%
1Y
41.03%
3Y*
16.12%
5Y*
9.44%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XLI vs. FTXR - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XLI
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund		16.75%19.35%17.31%18.13%-5.57%21.08%10.91%29.08%-13.25%23.98%
FTXR
First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF		18.26%14.70%17.09%20.93%-25.38%24.02%15.03%14.82%-15.27%15.82%

Correlation

The correlation between XLI and FTXR is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

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

0.75

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

0.78

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

0.83

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016

0.73

The correlation between XLI and FTXR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

XLI vs. FTXR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XLI
FTXR

Industrials

88.8%
64.7%

Utilities

5.3%

-

Technology

3.5%

-

Basic Materials

1.7%

-

Consumer Cyclical

0.5%
34.8%

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

0.5%

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Industrials

XLI
88.8%
FTXR
64.7%

Utilities

XLI
5.3%
FTXR

-

Technology

XLI
3.5%
FTXR

-

Basic Materials

XLI
1.7%
FTXR

-

Consumer Cyclical

XLI
0.5%
FTXR
34.8%

Communication Services

XLI

-

FTXR

-

Consumer Defensive

XLI

-

FTXR

-

Energy

XLI

-

FTXR
0.5%

Financial Services

XLI

-

FTXR

-

Healthcare

XLI

-

FTXR

-

Real Estate

XLI

-

FTXR

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund

First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF

Often compared with XLI:
XLI vs. VISXLI vs. PAVEXLI vs. XLKXLI vs. SPYXLI vs. FIDUXLI vs. ITAXLI vs. AIRR
Often compared with FTXR:
FTXR vs. XTNFTXR vs. IYTFTXR vs. PCARFTXR vs. PAVEFTXR vs. QQQMFTXR vs. AIRRFTXR vs. ITB

Return for Risk

XLI vs. FTXR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XLI
XLI Risk / Return Rank: 4444
Overall Rank
XLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4444
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 4545
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLI Omega Ratio Rank: 4040
Omega Ratio Rank
XLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 4141
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLI Martin Ratio Rank: 5151
Martin Ratio Rank
FTXR
FTXR Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
FTXR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FTXR Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
FTXR Omega Ratio Rank: 6767
Omega Ratio Rank
FTXR Calmar Ratio Rank: 7070
Calmar Ratio Rank
FTXR Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
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.

XLI vs. FTXR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) and First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR). 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.

XLIFTXRDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.29
1.91

-0.62

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.89
2.68

-0.80

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.22

1.32

-0.09

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.75

2.84

-1.09

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.83

9.65

-2.82

XLI vs. FTXR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLI Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is lower than the FTXR Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLI and FTXR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

XLI vs. FTXR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLI drawdown since its inception was -62.26%, which is greater than FTXR's maximum drawdown of -52.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLI and FTXR.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

XLIFTXRDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-62.26%

-52.06%

-10.20%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.21%

-14.49%

+2.28%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.49%

-29.71%

+11.22%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-21.64%

-33.96%

+12.32%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.33%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.92%

0.00%

-2.92%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.17%

-10.94%

+1.77%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.13%

4.26%

-1.13%

Volatility

XLI vs. FTXR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) is 5.00%, while First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR) has a volatility of 5.51%. This indicates that XLI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTXR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

XLIFTXRDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.00%

5.51%

-0.51%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.80%

17.27%

-3.47%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.65%

21.59%

-4.94%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.60%

23.97%

-6.37%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.00%

24.71%

-4.71%

XLI vs. FTXR - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLI has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than FTXR's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLI vs. FTXR - Dividend Comparison

XLI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.14%, more than FTXR's 0.95% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FTXR
First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF		0.95%1.52%2.13%1.50%2.38%0.67%0.33%1.34%1.74%1.18%0.24%0.00%
XLI
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund		1.14%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

XLI and FTXR have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FTXR has higher volatility (5.51%) compared to XLI (5.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLI dropped -62.26% vs FTXR's -52.06%.

On 5-year performance, XLI leads with 13.77% vs 9.44% for FTXR. On fees, XLI is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLI has been the lower-risk option at 5.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, XLI has performed better with a 13.77% return vs 9.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

XLI is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXR.

XLI has the higher dividend yield at 1.14%, compared with 0.95% for FTXR.

XLI tracks Industrial Select Sector Index, while FTXR tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Transportation Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLI and 0.60% for FTXR.

FTXR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.29), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for XLI and FTXR

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer