XLP vs. DVY

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF) and DVY (iShares Select Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLP is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index, while DVY is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLP returned 7.60%/yr vs 10.49%/yr for DVY. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLP charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for DVY.

Performance

XLP vs. DVY - 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 iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY). 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 lower than DVY's 13.40% return. Over the past 10 years, XLP has underperformed DVY with an annualized return of 7.60%, while DVY has yielded a comparatively higher 10.49% 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%

DVY

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 4.16%
• YTD: 13.40%
• 6M: 12.29%
• 1Y: 25.66%
• 3Y*: 15.86%
• 5Y*: 9.31%
• 10Y*: 10.49%

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

XLP vs. DVY - 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%
DVY iShares Select Dividend ETF	13.40%	11.60%	16.24%	1.12%	1.80%	31.70%	-4.91%	22.62%	-6.36%	14.82%

Correlation

The correlation between XLP and DVY 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	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2003	0.69

The correlation between XLP and DVY shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (1 year) to 0.69 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XLP vs. DVY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLP	DVY
Consumer Defensive	99.0%	13.5%
Consumer Cyclical	1.0%	9.6%
Basic Materials	-	2.1%
Communication Services	-	5.5%
Energy	-	8.8%
Financial Services	-	25.1%
Healthcare	-	5.2%
Industrials	-	2.0%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	4.0%
Utilities	-	23.7%

Return for Risk

XLP vs. DVY — 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

DVY

DVY Risk / Return Rank: 78
DVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
DVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
DVY Omega Ratio Rank: 74
DVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
DVY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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. DVY - 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 iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY). 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	DVY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.59	2.19	-1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.94	3.19	-2.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.37	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.79	3.54	-2.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.52	12.51	-10.99

XLP vs. DVY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLP Sharpe Ratio is 0.59, which is lower than the DVY Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLP and DVY, 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. DVY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLP drawdown since its inception was -35.90%, smaller than the maximum DVY drawdown of -62.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLP and DVY.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLP	DVY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.90%	-62.59%	+26.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.69%	-6.89%	-2.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.39%	-16.00%	+3.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.30%	-17.54%	+1.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.51%	-41.59%	+17.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.12%	0.00%	-4.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.06%	-8.78%	+1.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.01%	1.95%	+3.06%

Volatility

XLP vs. DVY - Volatility Comparison

State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) has a higher volatility of 4.53% compared to iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY) at 2.94%. This indicates that XLP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DVY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLP	DVY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.53%	2.94%	+1.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.14%	7.54%	+2.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.90%	11.16%	+1.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.34%	15.22%	-1.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.75%	18.01%	-3.26%

XLP vs. DVY - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLP has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than DVY's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLP vs. DVY - Dividend Comparison

XLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.53%, less than DVY's 3.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DVY iShares Select Dividend ETF	3.30%	3.65%	3.65%	3.82%	3.43%	3.12%	3.66%	3.41%	3.58%	3.00%	3.04%	3.45%
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 DVY in my portfolio?

XLP and DVY 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, XLP or DVY?

XLP has higher volatility (4.53%) compared to DVY (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLP dropped -35.90% vs DVY's -62.59%.

Which ETF is better, XLP or DVY?

On 10-year performance, DVY leads with 10.49% vs 7.60% for XLP. On fees, XLP is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DVY has been the lower-risk option at 2.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLP or DVY?

Over the 10-year period, DVY has performed better with a 10.49% return vs 7.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLP or DVY?

XLP is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for DVY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLP or DVY?

DVY has the higher dividend yield at 3.30%, compared with 2.53% for XLP.

What is the main difference between XLP and DVY?

XLP is categorized as Consumer Staples Equities, while DVY is Large Cap Value Equities. XLP tracks Consumer Staples Select Sector Index, while DVY tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLP and 0.39% for DVY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DVY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 0.59), 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.