XLP vs. COST

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index, while COST (Costco Wholesale Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, XLP returned 7.60%/yr vs 22.03%/yr for COST. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

XLP vs. COST - 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 Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLP achieves a 10.07% return, which is significantly lower than COST's 11.77% return. Over the past 10 years, XLP has underperformed COST with an annualized return of 7.60%, while COST has yielded a comparatively higher 22.03% annualized return.

XLP

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 10.07%
• 6M: 9.45%
• 1Y: 6.70%
• 3Y*: 7.48%
• 5Y*: 6.70%
• 10Y*: 7.60%

COST

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: -6.53%
• YTD: 11.77%
• 6M: 10.55%
• 1Y: -3.54%
• 3Y*: 24.02%
• 5Y*: 20.79%
• 10Y*: 22.03%

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

XLP vs. COST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	10.07%	1.52%	12.20%	-0.82%	-0.81%	17.20%	10.11%	27.43%	-8.07%	12.98%
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation	11.77%	-5.39%	39.62%	49.00%	-19.05%	51.82%	32.67%	45.70%	10.60%	22.37%

Correlation

The correlation between XLP and COST is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1998	0.51

The correlation between XLP and COST has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XLP vs. COST — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLP

XLP Risk / Return Rank: 16
XLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
XLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
XLP Omega Ratio Rank: 15
XLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
XLP Martin Ratio Rank: 15

COST

COST Risk / Return Rank: 32
COST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
COST Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
COST Omega Ratio Rank: 30
COST Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
COST Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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. COST - 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 Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST). 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	COST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.51	-0.19	+0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.82	-0.14	+0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	0.98	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.69	-0.25	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.32	-0.55	+1.86

XLP vs. COST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLP Sharpe Ratio is 0.51, which is higher than the COST Sharpe Ratio of -0.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLP and COST, 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. COST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLP drawdown since its inception was -35.90%, smaller than the maximum COST drawdown of -53.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLP and COST.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLP	COST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.90%	-53.39%	+17.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.69%	-14.42%	+4.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.39%	-20.74%	+8.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.30%	-31.40%	+15.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.51%	-31.40%	+6.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.01%	-12.17%	+7.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.06%	-13.36%	+6.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.10%	6.81%	-1.71%

Volatility

XLP vs. COST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) is 5.20%, while Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) has a volatility of 6.17%. This indicates that XLP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than COST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLP	COST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.20%	6.17%	-0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.54%	14.48%	-3.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.11%	18.77%	-5.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.37%	22.73%	-9.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.77%	21.97%	-7.20%

Dividends

XLP vs. COST - Dividend Comparison

XLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.60%, more than COST's 0.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation	0.56%	0.59%	0.49%	2.87%	0.76%	0.54%	3.38%	0.86%	1.08%	4.81%	1.09%	4.06%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.60%	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 COST in my portfolio?

XLP and COST have a correlation of 0.53, 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 COST?

COST has higher volatility (6.17%) compared to XLP (5.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLP dropped -35.90% vs COST's -53.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.51 vs -0.19), 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.