XLI vs. IYJ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) and IYJ (iShares U.S. Industrials ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds - XLI tracks the Industrial Select Sector Index while IYJ tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Industrials Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLI returned 13.99%/yr vs 12.31%/yr for IYJ. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XLI charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IYJ.

Performance

XLI vs. IYJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) and iShares U.S. Industrials ETF (IYJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLI achieves a 12.52% return, which is significantly higher than IYJ's 5.81% return. Over the past 10 years, XLI has outperformed IYJ with an annualized return of 13.99%, while IYJ has yielded a comparatively lower 12.31% annualized return.

XLI

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 12.52%
• 6M: 13.57%
• 1Y: 22.72%
• 3Y*: 21.72%
• 5Y*: 12.26%
• 10Y*: 13.99%

IYJ

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 5.81%
• 6M: 7.55%
• 1Y: 12.86%
• 3Y*: 16.95%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: 12.31%

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

XLI vs. IYJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	12.52%	19.35%	17.31%	18.13%	-5.57%	21.08%	10.91%	29.08%	-13.25%	23.98%
IYJ iShares U.S. Industrials ETF	5.81%	11.94%	17.82%	19.94%	-13.53%	17.02%	17.37%	32.27%	-11.69%	23.98%

Correlation

The correlation between XLI and IYJ is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2000	0.94

The correlation between XLI and IYJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

XLI vs. IYJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLI	IYJ
Industrials	90.3%	66.6%
Utilities	5.2%	3.6%
Technology	3.8%	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	0.5%	1.7%
Basic Materials	-	4.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	17.0%
Healthcare	-	0.4%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

XLI vs. IYJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLI

XLI Risk / Return Rank: 41
XLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
XLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
XLI Omega Ratio Rank: 38
XLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
XLI Martin Ratio Rank: 45

IYJ

IYJ Risk / Return Rank: 25
IYJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
IYJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
IYJ Omega Ratio Rank: 22
IYJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
IYJ Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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. IYJ - 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. Industrials ETF (IYJ). 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.

	XLI	IYJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	0.86	+0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	1.32	+0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.15	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.87	1.13	+0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.41	4.10	+3.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XLI vs. IYJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLI Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is higher than the IYJ Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLI and IYJ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XLI	IYJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49	0.86	+0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.44	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.62	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.37	+0.08

Drawdowns

XLI vs. IYJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLI drawdown since its inception was -62.26%, roughly equal to the maximum IYJ drawdown of -61.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLI and IYJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLI	IYJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.26%	-61.97%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.21%	-11.39%	-0.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.49%	-19.67%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.64%	-26.24%	+4.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.33%	-40.20%	-2.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.44%	-3.24%	+0.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.21%	-11.21%	+2.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.07%	3.14%	-0.07%

Volatility

XLI vs. IYJ - Volatility Comparison

Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) has a higher volatility of 4.80% compared to iShares U.S. Industrials ETF (IYJ) at 4.05%. This indicates that XLI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IYJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLI	IYJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.80%	4.05%	+0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.79%	11.88%	+0.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.38%	15.05%	+0.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.42%	18.04%	-0.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.98%	19.87%	+0.11%

XLI vs. IYJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLI has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than IYJ's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLI vs. IYJ - Dividend Comparison

XLI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%, more than IYJ's 0.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IYJ iShares U.S. Industrials ETF	0.78%	0.83%	0.88%	1.05%	1.05%	0.76%	1.01%	1.32%	1.43%	1.29%	1.38%	1.53%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.18%	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 IYJ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, XLI and IYJ 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.

Which is riskier, XLI or IYJ?

XLI has higher volatility (4.80%) compared to IYJ (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLI dropped -62.26% vs IYJ's -61.97%.

Which ETF is better, XLI or IYJ?

On 10-year performance, XLI leads with 13.99% vs 12.31% for IYJ. On fees, XLI is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, IYJ has been the lower-risk option at 4.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLI or IYJ?

Over the 10-year period, XLI has performed better with a 13.99% return vs 12.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLI or IYJ?

XLI is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for IYJ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLI or IYJ?

XLI has the higher dividend yield at 1.18%, compared with 0.78% for IYJ.

What is the main difference between XLI and IYJ?

XLI tracks Industrial Select Sector Index, while IYJ tracks Dow Jones U.S. Industrials Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLI and 0.38% for IYJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.49 vs 0.86), 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.