XLP vs. SCHX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF) and SCHX (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLP is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index, while SCHX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLP returned 7.60%/yr vs 15.35%/yr for SCHX. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLP charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCHX.

Performance

XLP vs. SCHX - 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 Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX). 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 SCHX's 8.86% return. Over the past 10 years, XLP has underperformed SCHX with an annualized return of 7.60%, while SCHX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.35% 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%

SCHX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: -0.68%
• YTD: 8.86%
• 6M: 9.10%
• 1Y: 25.11%
• 3Y*: 20.84%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: 15.35%

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

XLP vs. SCHX - 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%
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	8.86%	17.46%	24.88%	26.84%	-19.41%	26.81%	20.81%	31.22%	-4.66%	21.95%

Correlation

The correlation between XLP and SCHX is 0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2009	0.60

Over the past year, the correlation between XLP and SCHX has dropped to 0.02 - well below their long-term average of 0.60, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XLP vs. SCHX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLP	SCHX
Consumer Defensive	99.0%	4.4%
Consumer Cyclical	1.0%	9.3%
Basic Materials	-	1.0%
Communication Services	-	11.7%
Energy	-	3.0%
Financial Services	-	9.0%
Healthcare	-	8.5%
Industrials	-	6.4%
Real Estate	-	0.9%
Technology	-	42.9%
Utilities	-	1.3%

Return for Risk

XLP vs. SCHX — 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

SCHX

SCHX Risk / Return Rank: 66
SCHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SCHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
SCHX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SCHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SCHX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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. SCHX - 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 Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX). 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	SCHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.59	1.91	-1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.94	2.58	-1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.34	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.79	2.63	-1.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.52	11.65	-10.13

XLP vs. SCHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLP Sharpe Ratio is 0.59, which is lower than the SCHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLP and SCHX, 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. SCHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLP drawdown since its inception was -35.90%, roughly equal to the maximum SCHX drawdown of -34.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLP and SCHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLP	SCHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.90%	-34.33%	-1.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.69%	-9.02%	-0.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.39%	-19.04%	+6.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.30%	-25.41%	+9.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.51%	-34.33%	+9.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.12%	-2.37%	-1.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.06%	-3.96%	-3.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.01%	2.04%	+2.97%

Volatility

XLP vs. SCHX - Volatility Comparison

State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) have volatilities of 4.53% and 4.47%, 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	SCHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.53%	4.47%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.14%	9.71%	+0.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.90%	12.47%	+0.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.34%	17.19%	-3.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.75%	18.17%	-3.42%

XLP vs. SCHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLP has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHX's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XLP vs. SCHX - Dividend Comparison

XLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.53%, more than SCHX's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	1.02%	1.09%	1.22%	1.39%	1.64%	1.22%	1.64%	1.82%	2.02%	1.70%	1.92%	2.04%
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 SCHX in my portfolio?

XLP and SCHX have a correlation of 0.02, 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 SCHX?

XLP has higher volatility (4.53%) compared to SCHX (4.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLP dropped -35.90% vs SCHX's -34.33%.

Which ETF is better, XLP or SCHX?

On 10-year performance, SCHX leads with 15.35% vs 7.60% for XLP. On fees, SCHX is cheaper at 0.03% 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 SCHX?

Over the 10-year period, SCHX has performed better with a 15.35% 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 SCHX?

SCHX is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLP.

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

XLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 1.02% for SCHX.

What is the main difference between XLP and SCHX?

XLP is categorized as Consumer Staples Equities, while SCHX is Large Cap Blend Equities. XLP tracks Consumer Staples Select Sector Index, while SCHX tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLP and 0.03% for SCHX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 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.