XLI vs. IAI
XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) and IAI (iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLI is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Industrial Select Sector Index, while IAI is a Financials Equities fund tracking the DJ US Select / Investment Services. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLI returned 14.15%/yr vs 19.37%/yr for IAI. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLI charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for IAI.
Performance
XLI vs. IAI - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XLI achieves a 13.90% return, which is significantly higher than IAI's 3.17% return. Over the past 10 years, XLI has underperformed IAI with an annualized return of 14.15%, while IAI has yielded a comparatively higher 19.37% annualized return.
XLI
- 1D
- 0.59%
- 1M
- 0.96%
- YTD
- 13.90%
- 6M
- 13.10%
- 1Y
- 25.17%
- 3Y*
- 20.87%
- 5Y*
- 12.93%
- 10Y*
- 14.15%
IAI
- 1D
- 1.83%
- 1M
- 2.57%
- YTD
- 3.17%
- 6M
- 2.78%
- 1Y
- 21.00%
- 3Y*
- 28.06%
- 5Y*
- 14.44%
- 10Y*
- 19.37%
XLI vs. IAI - 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% |
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF | 3.17% | 25.80% | 34.37% | 15.27% | -10.87% | 40.48% | 18.61% | 24.26% | -9.47% | 28.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between XLI and IAI is 0.53, 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 | 0.53 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.67 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2006 | 0.75 |
Over the past year, the correlation between XLI and IAI has dropped to 0.53 - well below their long-term average of 0.75, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
XLI vs. IAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
XLI
IAI
Industrials
-
Utilities
-
Technology
Consumer Cyclical
-
Basic Materials
-
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Energy
-
-
Financial Services
-
Healthcare
-
-
Real Estate
-
-
Industrials
XLI
IAI
-
Utilities
XLI
IAI
-
Technology
XLI
IAI
Consumer Cyclical
XLI
IAI
-
Basic Materials
XLI
-
IAI
-
Communication Services
XLI
-
IAI
-
Consumer Defensive
XLI
-
IAI
-
Energy
XLI
-
IAI
-
Financial Services
XLI
-
IAI
Healthcare
XLI
-
IAI
-
Real Estate
XLI
-
IAI
-
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
XLI vs. IAI — Risk / Return Rank
XLI
IAI
XLI vs. IAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) and iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI). 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 | IAI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.50 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.75 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.18 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.98 | 1.17 | +0.81 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.82 | 3.33 | +4.49 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
XLI vs. IAI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XLI drawdown since its inception was -62.26%, smaller than the maximum IAI drawdown of -75.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLI and IAI.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| XLI | IAI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.26% | -75.46% | +13.20% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.21% | -16.52% | +4.31% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.49% | -23.14% | +4.65% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.64% | -28.84% | +7.20% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.33% | -40.38% | -1.95% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.24% | -2.81% | +1.57% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.20% | -22.63% | +13.43% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.09% | 5.80% | -2.71% |
Volatility
XLI vs. IAI - Volatility Comparison
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) and iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) have volatilities of 6.22% and 5.98%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| XLI | IAI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.22% | 5.98% | +0.24% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.59% | 15.34% | -1.75% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.17% | 19.44% | -3.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.55% | 21.48% | -3.93% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.04% | 22.85% | -2.81% |
XLI vs. IAI - Expense Ratio Comparison
XLI has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than IAI's 0.41% expense ratio.
Dividends
XLI vs. IAI - Dividend Comparison
XLI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, more than IAI's 1.05% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF | 1.05% | 0.95% | 1.05% | 1.80% | 2.14% | 1.31% | 1.55% | 1.52% | 1.58% | 1.37% | 1.49% | 1.31% |
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
XLI and IAI have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XLI has higher volatility (6.22%) compared to IAI (5.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLI dropped -62.26% vs IAI's -75.46%.
On 10-year performance, IAI leads with 19.37% vs 14.15% for XLI. On fees, XLI is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, IAI has been the lower-risk option at 5.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IAI has performed better with a 19.37% return vs 14.15%. 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 0.41% for IAI.
XLI has the higher dividend yield at 1.16%, compared with 1.05% for IAI.
XLI is categorized as Industrials Equities, while IAI is Financials Equities. XLI tracks Industrial Select Sector Index, while IAI tracks DJ US Select / Investment Services. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLI and 0.41% for IAI.
XLI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 1.00), 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.
Find the right allocation for XLI and IAI
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