XLP vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, XLP returned 7.60%/yr vs 13.22%/yr for BRK-B. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

XLP vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLP achieves a 11.10% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -2.67% return. Over the past 10 years, XLP has underperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 7.60%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively higher 13.22% annualized return.

XLP

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: 11.10%
• 6M: 9.54%
• 1Y: 8.93%
• 3Y*: 8.26%
• 5Y*: 6.65%
• 10Y*: 7.60%

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 1.07%
• YTD: -2.67%
• 6M: -2.06%
• 1Y: 0.35%
• 3Y*: 13.30%
• 5Y*: 11.27%
• 10Y*: 13.22%

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

XLP vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	11.10%	1.52%	12.20%	-0.82%	-0.81%	17.20%	10.11%	27.43%	-8.07%	12.98%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-2.67%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between XLP and BRK-B is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1998	0.40

The correlation between XLP and BRK-B shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (1 year) to 0.49 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

XLP vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLP

XLP Risk / Return Rank: 19
XLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
XLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
XLP Omega Ratio Rank: 18
XLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
XLP Martin Ratio Rank: 17

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 39
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

XLP vs. BRK-B - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). 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.

	XLP	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.59	-0.02	+0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.94	0.08	+0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.01	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.79	-0.02	+0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.52	-0.05	+1.57

XLP vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLP Sharpe Ratio is 0.59, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLP and BRK-B, 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

XLP vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLP drawdown since its inception was -35.90%, smaller than the maximum BRK-B drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLP and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLP	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.90%	-53.86%	+17.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.69%	-9.42%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.39%	-14.95%	+2.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.30%	-26.58%	+10.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.51%	-29.57%	+5.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.12%	-9.36%	+5.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.06%	-11.07%	+4.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.01%	4.53%	+0.48%

Volatility

XLP vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) has a higher volatility of 4.53% compared to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) at 3.95%. This indicates that XLP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BRK-B based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLP	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.53%	3.95%	+0.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.14%	10.78%	-0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.90%	14.38%	-1.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.34%	17.12%	-3.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.75%	19.44%	-4.69%

Dividends

XLP vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

XLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.53%, while BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.53%	2.75%	2.77%	2.63%	2.47%	2.28%	2.50%	2.57%	3.04%	2.62%	2.53%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLP and BRK-B in my portfolio?

XLP and BRK-B have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLP or BRK-B?

XLP has higher volatility (4.53%) compared to BRK-B (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLP dropped -35.90% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.59 vs -0.02), 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.