XLRE vs. SGOL
XLRE (Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund) and SGOL (abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLRE is a REIT fund tracking the Real Estate Select Sector Index, while SGOL is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLRE returned 6.53%/yr vs 11.31%/yr for SGOL. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XLRE charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for SGOL.
Performance
XLRE vs. SGOL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XLRE achieves a 13.06% return, which is significantly higher than SGOL's -6.91% return. Over the past 10 years, XLRE has underperformed SGOL with an annualized return of 6.53%, while SGOL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.31% annualized return.
XLRE
- 1D
- -0.71%
- 1M
- 3.01%
- YTD
- 13.06%
- 6M
- 12.28%
- 1Y
- 13.01%
- 3Y*
- 9.70%
- 5Y*
- 3.67%
- 10Y*
- 6.53%
SGOL
- 1D
- -1.37%
- 1M
- -11.65%
- YTD
- -6.91%
- 6M
- -7.43%
- 1Y
- 22.60%
- 3Y*
- 27.68%
- 5Y*
- 17.62%
- 10Y*
- 11.31%
XLRE vs. SGOL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund | 13.06% | 2.63% | 5.09% | 12.36% | -26.25% | 46.10% | -2.18% | 28.68% | -2.39% | 10.69% |
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | -6.91% | 63.99% | 26.90% | 12.99% | -0.51% | -3.94% | 25.03% | 18.21% | -1.94% | 12.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between XLRE and SGOL is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 8, 2015 | 0.12 |
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Return for Risk
XLRE vs. SGOL — Risk / Return Rank
XLRE
SGOL
XLRE vs. SGOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL). 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.
| XLRE | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.17 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.57 | 0.87 | +0.70 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.33 | 2.36 | +1.97 |
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Drawdowns
XLRE vs. SGOL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XLRE drawdown since its inception was -38.83%, smaller than the maximum SGOL drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLRE and SGOL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XLRE | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.83% | -45.51% | +6.68% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.33% | -26.16% | +17.83% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.74% | -26.16% | +9.42% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.12% | -26.16% | -7.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.83% | -26.16% | -12.67% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.71% | -25.62% | +24.91% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.55% | -18.42% | +8.87% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.01% | 9.61% | -6.60% |
Volatility
XLRE vs. SGOL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) is 5.56%, while abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) has a volatility of 8.67%. This indicates that XLRE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SGOL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| XLRE | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.56% | 8.67% | -3.11% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.71% | 24.27% | -13.56% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.97% | 27.47% | -13.50% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.14% | 18.19% | +0.95% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.44% | 16.04% | +4.40% |
XLRE vs. SGOL - Expense Ratio Comparison
XLRE has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than SGOL's 0.17% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
XLRE vs. SGOL - Dividend Comparison
XLRE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.13%, while SGOL has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund | 3.13% | 3.45% | 3.43% | 3.31% | 3.70% | 2.61% | 3.15% | 3.06% | 3.78% | 3.25% | 4.22% | 1.09% |
Frequently Asked Questions
XLRE and SGOL have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SGOL has higher volatility (8.67%) compared to XLRE (5.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLRE dropped -38.83% vs SGOL's -45.51%.
On 10-year performance, SGOL leads with 11.31% vs 6.53% for XLRE. On fees, XLRE is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, XLRE has been the lower-risk option at 5.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SGOL has performed better with a 11.31% return vs 6.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XLRE is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for SGOL.
XLRE has the higher dividend yield at 3.13%, compared with 0.00% for SGOL.
XLRE is categorized as REIT, while SGOL is Gold. XLRE tracks Real Estate Select Sector Index, while SGOL tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). They also come from different issuers: State Street and abrdn. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for XLRE and 0.17% for SGOL.
XLRE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.94 vs 0.83), 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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