XLP vs. IYK

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF) and IYK (iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF) are both Consumer Staples Equities funds - XLP tracks the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index while IYK tracks the Russell 1000 Consumer Staples RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLP returned 7.35%/yr vs 9.17%/yr for IYK. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. XLP charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IYK.

Performance

XLP vs. IYK - 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. Consumer Staples ETF (IYK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLP achieves a 10.62% return, which is significantly lower than IYK's 12.03% return. Over the past 10 years, XLP has underperformed IYK with an annualized return of 7.35%, while IYK has yielded a comparatively higher 9.17% annualized return.

XLP

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -0.15%
• 6M: 1.69%
• YTD: 10.62%
• 1Y: 8.80%
• 3Y*: 7.24%
• 5Y*: 6.52%
• 10Y*: 7.35%
• ALL TIME*: 6.86%

IYK

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: -0.82%
• 6M: 4.25%
• YTD: 12.03%
• 1Y: 10.98%
• 3Y*: 6.11%
• 5Y*: 6.28%
• 10Y*: 9.17%
• ALL TIME*: 8.84%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IYK iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF	$16.72M	$14.49M	$21.30M
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	$1.06B	$972.52M	$1.01B

XLP vs. IYK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	10.62%	1.52%	12.20%	-0.82%	-0.81%	17.20%	10.11%	27.43%	-8.07%	12.98%
IYK iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF	12.03%	4.78%	5.27%	-2.84%	3.57%	17.32%	32.65%	28.12%	-13.84%	16.53%

Correlation

The correlation between XLP and IYK is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2000	0.84

The correlation between XLP and IYK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

XLP vs. IYK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLP	IYK
Consumer Defensive	98.1%	82.6%
Consumer Cyclical	1.9%	1.4%
Basic Materials	-	2.7%
Communication Services	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	13.3%
Industrials	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XLP vs. IYK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

XLP

XLP Risk / Return Rank: 26
XLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
XLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
XLP Omega Ratio Rank: 25
XLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
XLP Martin Ratio Rank: 23

IYK

IYK Risk / Return Rank: 30
IYK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
IYK Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
IYK Omega Ratio Rank: 30
IYK Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
IYK Martin Ratio Rank: 26

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

XLP vs. IYK - 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. Consumer Staples ETF (IYK). 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	IYK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.63	0.80	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.00	1.25	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.14	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.91	1.03	-0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.65	2.07	-0.42

XLP vs. IYK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLP Sharpe Ratio is 0.63, which is comparable to the IYK Sharpe Ratio of 0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLP and IYK, 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. IYK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLP drawdown since its inception was -35.90%, smaller than the maximum IYK drawdown of -42.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLP and IYK.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLP	IYK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.90%	-42.64%	+6.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.69%	-10.68%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.42%	-11.32%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.30%	-15.05%	-1.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.51%	-33.19%	+8.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.53%	-3.69%	-0.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.05%	-5.06%	-1.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.33%	5.31%	+0.02%

Volatility

XLP vs. IYK - Volatility Comparison

State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) and iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) have volatilities of 5.74% and 5.81%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLP	IYK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.74%	5.81%	-0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.49%	11.21%	+0.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.15%	13.84%	+0.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.61%	13.31%	+0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.86%	15.61%	-0.75%

XLP vs. IYK - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLP has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than IYK's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLP vs. IYK - Dividend Comparison

XLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, more than IYK's 2.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IYK iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF	2.56%	2.75%	2.63%	2.74%	2.16%	1.49%	1.42%	2.21%	2.81%	1.74%	2.63%	2.11%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.59%	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 IYK in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, XLP and IYK 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, XLP or IYK?

IYK has higher volatility (5.81%) compared to XLP (5.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLP dropped -35.90% vs IYK's -42.64%.

Which ETF is better, XLP or IYK?

On 10-year performance, IYK leads with 9.17% vs 7.35% for XLP. On fees, XLP is cheaper at 0.08% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLP or IYK?

Over the 10-year period, IYK has performed better with a 9.17% return vs 7.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLP or IYK?

XLP is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for IYK.

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

XLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.59%, compared with 2.56% for IYK.

What is the main difference between XLP and IYK?

XLP tracks Consumer Staples Select Sector Index, while IYK tracks Russell 1000 Consumer Staples RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLP and 0.38% for IYK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IYK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.80 vs 0.63), 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.