XLK vs. AIQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) and AIQ (Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - XLK tracks the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index while AIQ tracks the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XLK returned 23.83%/yr vs 19.07%/yr for AIQ. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XLK charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for AIQ.

Performance

XLK vs. AIQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) and Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with XLK having a 36.47% return and AIQ slightly lower at 35.98%.

XLK

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 21.09%
• YTD: 36.47%
• 6M: 35.71%
• 1Y: 66.93%
• 3Y*: 33.90%
• 5Y*: 23.83%
• 10Y*: 25.84%

AIQ

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: 21.10%
• YTD: 35.98%
• 6M: 36.15%
• 1Y: 69.19%
• 3Y*: 37.50%
• 5Y*: 19.07%
• 10Y*: —

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

XLK vs. AIQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	36.47%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-9.84%
AIQ Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF	35.98%	31.89%	24.11%	55.39%	-36.44%	17.09%	52.88%	39.94%	-14.03%

Correlation

The correlation between XLK and AIQ is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 17, 2018	0.90

The correlation between XLK and AIQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

XLK vs. AIQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLK	AIQ
Technology	99.7%	73.3%
Energy	0.2%	-
Industrials	0.1%	4.2%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	13.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	8.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.4%
Healthcare	-	0.4%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XLK vs. AIQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 83
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 73

AIQ

AIQ Risk / Return Rank: 81
AIQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
AIQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
AIQ Omega Ratio Rank: 80
AIQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
AIQ Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

XLK vs. AIQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) and Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ). 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.

	XLK	AIQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.24	3.02	+0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.92	3.70	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.49	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.22	4.22	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.16	14.59	-0.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XLK vs. AIQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLK Sharpe Ratio is 3.24, which is comparable to the AIQ Sharpe Ratio of 3.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLK and AIQ, 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

	XLK	AIQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.24	3.02	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96	0.76	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.06	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.84	-0.42

Drawdowns

XLK vs. AIQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLK drawdown since its inception was -82.05%, which is greater than AIQ's maximum drawdown of -44.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLK and AIQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLK	AIQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.05%	-44.66%	-37.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.92%	-16.47%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.66%	-26.35%	+0.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.56%	-44.66%	+11.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.56%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.00%	-1.40%	+0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.96%	-9.80%	-25.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.74%	4.76%	-0.02%

Volatility

XLK vs. AIQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) is 6.98%, while Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) has a volatility of 8.60%. This indicates that XLK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AIQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLK	AIQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.98%	8.60%	-1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.68%	18.46%	-1.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.82%	23.04%	-2.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.90%	25.33%	-0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.49%	25.50%	-1.01%

XLK vs. AIQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLK has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than AIQ's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLK vs. AIQ - Dividend Comparison

XLK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, more than AIQ's 0.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIQ Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF	0.14%	0.18%	0.14%	0.16%	0.56%	0.15%	0.50%	0.51%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.39%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLK and AIQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, XLK and AIQ 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, XLK or AIQ?

AIQ has higher volatility (8.60%) compared to XLK (6.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLK dropped -82.05% vs AIQ's -44.66%.

Which ETF is better, XLK or AIQ?

On 5-year performance, XLK leads with 23.83% vs 19.07% for AIQ. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLK has been the lower-risk option at 6.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLK or AIQ?

Over the 5-year period, XLK has performed better with a 23.83% return vs 19.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLK or AIQ?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for AIQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLK or AIQ?

XLK has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.14% for AIQ.

What is the main difference between XLK and AIQ?

XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index, while AIQ tracks Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLK and 0.68% for AIQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.24 vs 3.02), 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.