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XLP vs. IYH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XLP vs. IYH

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF) and IYH (iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLP is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index, while IYH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLP returned 7.60%/yr vs 9.52%/yr for IYH. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLP charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for IYH.

Performance

XLP vs. IYH - 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 U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLP achieves a 11.10% return, which is significantly higher than IYH's -0.65% return. Over the past 10 years, XLP has underperformed IYH with an annualized return of 7.60%, while IYH has yielded a comparatively higher 9.52% annualized return.

XLP

1D
0.65%
1M
1.30%
YTD
11.10%
6M
9.54%
1Y
7.61%
3Y*
8.26%
5Y*
6.65%
10Y*
7.60%

IYH

1D
-0.20%
1M
4.45%
YTD
-0.65%
6M
0.07%
1Y
14.13%
3Y*
6.45%
5Y*
4.89%
10Y*
9.52%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XLP vs. IYH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
IYH
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF		-0.65%13.16%2.99%2.14%-4.46%23.41%15.56%20.80%5.80%22.27%

Correlation

The correlation between XLP and IYH is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.35

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.48

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.56

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.54

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2000

0.64

Over the past year, the correlation between XLP and IYH has dropped to 0.35 - well below their long-term average of 0.64, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XLP vs. IYH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XLP
IYH

Consumer Defensive

99.0%

-

Consumer Cyclical

1.0%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

100.0%

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Consumer Defensive

XLP
99.0%
IYH

-

Consumer Cyclical

XLP
1.0%
IYH

-

Basic Materials

XLP

-

IYH

-

Communication Services

XLP

-

IYH

-

Energy

XLP

-

IYH

-

Financial Services

XLP

-

IYH

-

Healthcare

XLP

-

IYH
100.0%

Industrials

XLP

-

IYH

-

Real Estate

XLP

-

IYH

-

Technology

XLP

-

IYH

-

Utilities

XLP

-

IYH

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF

iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF

Often compared with XLP:
XLP vs. XLYXLP vs. VDCXLP vs. XLUXLP vs. SPYXLP vs. VOOXLP vs. XLFXLP vs. IYK
Often compared with IYH:
IYH vs. VHTIYH vs. XLVIYH vs. SPYIYH vs. IYEIYH vs. BMEDIYH vs. IFRAIYH vs. IBB

Return for Risk

XLP vs. IYH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XLP
XLP Risk / Return Rank: 1919
Overall Rank
XLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2020
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 2020
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLP Omega Ratio Rank: 1818
Omega Ratio Rank
XLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 2020
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLP Martin Ratio Rank: 1717
Martin Ratio Rank
IYH
IYH Risk / Return Rank: 2929
Overall Rank
IYH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2929
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYH Sortino Ratio Rank: 3131
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYH Omega Ratio Rank: 2828
Omega Ratio Rank
IYH Calmar Ratio Rank: 3131
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYH Martin Ratio Rank: 2727
Martin Ratio Rank
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. IYH - 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 U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH). 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.

XLPIYHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.59
0.94

-0.35

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.94
1.52

-0.58

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.11

1.17

-0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.79

1.33

-0.54

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

1.52

3.18

-1.66

XLP vs. IYH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLP Sharpe Ratio is 0.59, which is lower than the IYH Sharpe Ratio of 0.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLP and IYH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

XLP vs. IYH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLP drawdown since its inception was -35.90%, smaller than the maximum IYH drawdown of -43.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLP and IYH.

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Drawdown Indicators

XLPIYHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-35.90%

-43.12%

+7.22%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.69%

-10.64%

+0.95%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-12.39%

-17.91%

+5.52%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-16.30%

-17.91%

+1.61%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-24.51%

-28.40%

+3.89%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.12%

-3.94%

-0.18%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.06%

-8.96%

+1.90%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.01%

4.46%

+0.55%

Volatility

XLP vs. IYH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) is 4.53%, while iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) has a volatility of 4.94%. This indicates that XLP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IYH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

XLPIYHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.53%

4.94%

-0.41%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.14%

10.64%

-0.50%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.90%

15.10%

-2.20%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.34%

14.96%

-1.62%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

14.75%

16.74%

-1.99%

XLP vs. IYH - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLP has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than IYH's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLP vs. IYH - Dividend Comparison

XLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.53%, more than IYH's 1.25% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IYH
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF		1.25%1.19%1.25%1.18%1.10%0.94%1.16%1.14%1.95%1.10%1.29%2.02%
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

XLP and IYH have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IYH has higher volatility (4.94%) compared to XLP (4.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLP dropped -35.90% vs IYH's -43.12%.

On 10-year performance, IYH leads with 9.52% vs 7.60% for XLP. On fees, XLP is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLP has been the lower-risk option at 4.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IYH has performed better with a 9.52% return vs 7.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

XLP is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for IYH.

XLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 1.25% for IYH.

XLP is categorized as Consumer Staples Equities, while IYH is Health & Biotech Equities. XLP tracks Consumer Staples Select Sector Index, while IYH tracks Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLP and 0.43% for IYH.

IYH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.94 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.

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