PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

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

XLI vs. SCHA

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) and SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLI is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Industrial Select Sector Index, while SCHA is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLI returned 14.09%/yr vs 11.39%/yr for SCHA. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XLI charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHA.

Performance

XLI vs. SCHA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA). 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 13.23% return, which is significantly lower than SCHA's 21.09% return. Over the past 10 years, XLI has outperformed SCHA with an annualized return of 14.09%, while SCHA has yielded a comparatively lower 11.39% annualized return.

XLI

1D
3.24%
1M
0.46%
YTD
13.23%
6M
11.74%
1Y
23.07%
3Y*
21.10%
5Y*
12.80%
10Y*
14.09%

SCHA

1D
3.42%
1M
4.11%
YTD
21.09%
6M
16.82%
1Y
39.46%
3Y*
18.41%
5Y*
6.95%
10Y*
11.39%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XLI vs. SCHA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XLI
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund		13.23%19.35%17.31%18.13%-5.57%21.08%10.91%29.08%-13.25%23.98%
SCHA
Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF		21.09%11.60%11.16%18.46%-19.81%16.45%19.34%26.50%-11.79%14.94%

Correlation

The correlation between XLI and SCHA is 0.79, 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

0.79

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

0.83

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

0.84

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.81

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2009

0.84

The correlation between XLI and SCHA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

XLI vs. SCHA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XLI
SCHA

Industrials

90.7%
15.6%

Utilities

4.8%
2.3%

Technology

4.0%
23.9%

Consumer Cyclical

0.5%
9.0%

Basic Materials

-

4.4%

Communication Services

-

2.3%

Consumer Defensive

-

2.5%

Energy

-

5.4%

Financial Services

-

15.3%

Healthcare

-

13.2%

Real Estate

-

5.9%

Industrials

XLI
90.7%
SCHA
15.6%

Utilities

XLI
4.8%
SCHA
2.3%

Technology

XLI
4.0%
SCHA
23.9%

Consumer Cyclical

XLI
0.5%
SCHA
9.0%

Basic Materials

XLI

-

SCHA
4.4%

Communication Services

XLI

-

SCHA
2.3%

Consumer Defensive

XLI

-

SCHA
2.5%

Energy

XLI

-

SCHA
5.4%

Financial Services

XLI

-

SCHA
15.3%

Healthcare

XLI

-

SCHA
13.2%

Real Estate

XLI

-

SCHA
5.9%

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

Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF

Often compared with XLI:
XLI vs. VISXLI vs. PAVEXLI vs. XLKXLI vs. SPYXLI vs. FIDUXLI vs. ITAXLI vs. AIRR
Often compared with SCHA:
SCHA vs. VBSCHA vs. AVUVSCHA vs. SWSSXSCHA vs. IJRSCHA vs. SCHDSCHA vs. SCHBSCHA vs. SCHM

Return for Risk

XLI vs. SCHA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XLI
XLI Risk / Return Rank: 5050
Overall Rank
XLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 5151
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLI Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
XLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 4646
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLI Martin Ratio Rank: 5353
Martin Ratio Rank
SCHA
SCHA Risk / Return Rank: 8282
Overall Rank
SCHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8080
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 8181
Sortino Ratio Rank
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 8787
Calmar Ratio Rank
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 8787
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. SCHA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA). 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.

XLISCHADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.43
2.13

-0.70

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.09
2.98

-0.89

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.25

1.36

-0.11

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.90

4.17

-2.27

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.47

15.27

-7.80

XLI vs. SCHA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLI Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is lower than the SCHA Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLI and SCHA, 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. SCHA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLI drawdown since its inception was -62.26%, which is greater than SCHA's maximum drawdown of -42.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLI and SCHA.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

XLISCHADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-62.26%

-42.41%

-19.85%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.21%

-9.50%

-2.71%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.49%

-27.29%

+8.80%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-21.64%

-30.79%

+9.15%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.33%

-42.41%

+0.08%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.82%

0.00%

-1.82%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.20%

-7.57%

-1.63%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.10%

2.59%

+0.51%

Volatility

XLI vs. SCHA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) is 6.22%, while Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a volatility of 6.55%. This indicates that XLI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

XLISCHADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.22%

6.55%

-0.33%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.69%

13.72%

-0.03%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.16%

18.60%

-2.44%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.56%

22.03%

-4.47%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.04%

22.75%

-2.71%

XLI vs. SCHA - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLI has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHA's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XLI vs. SCHA - Dividend Comparison

XLI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, more than SCHA's 0.99% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SCHA
Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF		0.99%1.26%1.51%1.42%1.37%1.19%1.05%1.39%1.58%1.24%1.50%1.48%
XLI
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund		1.17%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 SCHA have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SCHA has higher volatility (6.55%) compared to XLI (6.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLI dropped -62.26% vs SCHA's -42.41%.

On 10-year performance, XLI leads with 14.09% vs 11.39% for SCHA. On fees, SCHA is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, XLI has been the lower-risk option at 6.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, XLI has performed better with a 14.09% return vs 11.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SCHA is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLI.

XLI has the higher dividend yield at 1.17%, compared with 0.99% for SCHA.

XLI is categorized as Industrials Equities, while SCHA is Small Cap Blend Equities. XLI tracks Industrial Select Sector Index, while SCHA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLI and 0.04% for SCHA.

SCHA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.43), 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 SCHA

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