XLI vs. XLF

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLI is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Industrial Select Sector Index, while XLF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLI returned 13.76%/yr vs 13.37%/yr for XLF. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.08% expense ratio.

Performance

XLI vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLI achieves a 15.43% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's 3.21% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with XLI having a 13.76% annualized return and XLF not far behind at 13.37%.

XLI

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: -1.30%
• 6M: 7.29%
• YTD: 15.43%
• 1Y: 19.12%
• 3Y*: 19.29%
• 5Y*: 13.15%
• 10Y*: 13.76%
• ALL TIME*: 9.61%

XLF

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: 4.98%
• 6M: 3.83%
• YTD: 3.21%
• 1Y: 8.32%
• 3Y*: 18.56%
• 5Y*: 10.80%
• 10Y*: 13.37%
• ALL TIME*: 6.03%

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

XLI vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	15.43%	19.35%	17.31%	18.13%	-5.57%	21.08%	10.91%	29.08%	-13.25%	23.98%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.21%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%

Correlation

The correlation between XLI and XLF is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1998	0.75

Over the past year, the correlation between XLI and XLF has dropped to 0.51 - well below their long-term average of 0.75, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XLI vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLI	XLF
Industrials	93.3%	0.2%
Technology	6.3%	1.6%
Utilities	5.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.2%	-
Basic Materials	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	98.2%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

XLI vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLI

XLI Risk / Return Rank: 43
XLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
XLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
XLI Omega Ratio Rank: 39
XLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
XLI Martin Ratio Rank: 49

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 20
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). 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	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	0.57	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	0.87	+0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.11	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.57	0.56	+1.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.09	1.43	+4.66

XLI vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLI Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is higher than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLI and XLF, 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. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLI drawdown since its inception was -62.26%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLI and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLI	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.26%	-82.69%	+20.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.21%	-14.79%	+2.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.49%	-15.54%	-2.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.64%	-25.81%	+4.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.33%	-42.86%	+0.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.01%	-1.25%	-2.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.17%	-19.95%	+10.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.15%	5.81%	-2.66%

Volatility

XLI vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) has a higher volatility of 5.03% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 4.07%. This indicates that XLI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLI	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.03%	4.07%	+0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.80%	11.28%	+2.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.68%	14.66%	+2.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.53%	18.45%	-0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.01%	22.07%	-2.06%

XLI vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both XLI and XLF have an expense ratio of 0.08%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XLI vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

XLI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, less than XLF's 1.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.44%	1.31%	1.42%	1.71%	2.04%	1.63%	2.03%	1.87%	2.08%	1.48%	21.10%	1.95%
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 XLF in my portfolio?

XLI and XLF have a correlation of 0.51, 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 XLF?

XLI has higher volatility (5.03%) compared to XLF (4.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLI dropped -62.26% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which ETF is better, XLI or XLF?

On 10-year performance, XLI leads with 13.76% vs 13.37% for XLF. Both ETFs have the same 0.08% expense ratio. On volatility, XLF has been the lower-risk option at 4.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLI or XLF?

Over the 10-year period, XLI has performed better with a 13.76% return vs 13.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLI or XLF?

XLI and XLF have the same expense ratio: 0.08% per year.

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

XLF has the higher dividend yield at 1.44%, compared with 1.16% for XLI.

What is the main difference between XLI and XLF?

XLI is categorized as Industrials Equities, while XLF is Financials Equities. XLI tracks Industrial Select Sector Index, while XLF tracks Financial Select Sector Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.15 vs 0.57), 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.