XLRE vs. SPYM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XLRE (Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund) and SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLRE is a REIT fund tracking the Real Estate Select Sector Index, while SPYM is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLRE returned 6.68%/yr vs 15.62%/yr for SPYM. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLRE charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SPYM.

Performance

XLRE vs. SPYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLRE achieves a 8.56% return, which is significantly lower than SPYM's 10.98% return. Over the past 10 years, XLRE has underperformed SPYM with an annualized return of 6.68%, while SPYM has yielded a comparatively higher 15.62% annualized return.

XLRE

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -1.29%
• YTD: 8.56%
• 6M: 7.82%
• 1Y: 8.12%
• 3Y*: 9.43%
• 5Y*: 2.86%
• 10Y*: 6.68%

SPYM

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: 5.06%
• YTD: 10.98%
• 6M: 10.98%
• 1Y: 28.09%
• 3Y*: 22.46%
• 5Y*: 13.91%
• 10Y*: 15.62%

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

XLRE vs. SPYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund	8.56%	2.63%	5.09%	12.36%	-26.25%	46.10%	-2.18%	28.68%	-2.39%	10.69%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	10.98%	17.79%	25.00%	26.24%	-18.09%	28.78%	18.49%	31.99%	-4.78%	21.30%

Correlation

The correlation between XLRE and SPYM is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2015	0.54

Over the past year, the correlation between XLRE and SPYM has dropped to 0.31 - well below their long-term average of 0.54, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XLRE vs. SPYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLRE	SPYM
Real Estate	98.1%	1.8%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.7%
Communication Services	-	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.6%
Energy	-	3.2%
Financial Services	-	11.1%
Healthcare	-	8.4%
Industrials	-	7.6%
Technology	-	38.5%
Utilities	-	2.5%

Return for Risk

XLRE vs. SPYM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

XLRE

XLRE Risk / Return Rank: 19
XLRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
XLRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
XLRE Omega Ratio Rank: 17
XLRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
XLRE Martin Ratio Rank: 22

SPYM

SPYM Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
SPYM Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SPYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPYM 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.

XLRE vs. SPYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). 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.

	XLRE	SPYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.61	2.39	-1.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.90	3.27	-2.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.44	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.98	3.17	-2.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.69	14.76	-12.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XLRE vs. SPYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLRE Sharpe Ratio is 0.61, which is lower than the SPYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLRE and SPYM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XLRE	SPYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.61	2.39	-1.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15	0.83	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	0.87	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.62	-0.27

Drawdowns

XLRE vs. SPYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLRE drawdown since its inception was -38.83%, smaller than the maximum SPYM drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLRE and SPYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLRE	SPYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.83%	-54.46%	+15.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.33%	-8.90%	+0.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.74%	-18.72%	+1.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.12%	-24.48%	-9.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.83%	-33.87%	-4.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.98%	-0.66%	-2.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.61%	-7.15%	-2.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.03%	1.91%	+1.12%

Volatility

XLRE vs. SPYM - Volatility Comparison

Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) has a higher volatility of 3.71% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) at 2.83%. This indicates that XLRE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLRE	SPYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.71%	2.83%	+0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.66%	8.90%	+0.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.43%	11.80%	+1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.06%	16.80%	+2.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.40%	18.00%	+2.40%

XLRE vs. SPYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLRE has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYM's 0.02% 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

XLRE vs. SPYM - Dividend Comparison

XLRE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.22%, more than SPYM's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	1.13%	1.28%	1.44%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.79%	2.23%	1.75%	1.97%	1.98%
XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund	3.22%	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

Can I hold both XLRE and SPYM in my portfolio?

XLRE and SPYM have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLRE or SPYM?

XLRE has higher volatility (3.71%) compared to SPYM (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLRE dropped -38.83% vs SPYM's -54.46%.

Which ETF is better, XLRE or SPYM?

On 10-year performance, SPYM leads with 15.62% vs 6.68% for XLRE. On fees, SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, SPYM has been the lower-risk option at 2.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLRE or SPYM?

Over the 10-year period, SPYM has performed better with a 15.62% return vs 6.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLRE or SPYM?

SPYM is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for XLRE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLRE or SPYM?

XLRE has the higher dividend yield at 3.22%, compared with 1.00% for SPYM.

What is the main difference between XLRE and SPYM?

XLRE is categorized as REIT, while SPYM is S&P 500. XLRE tracks Real Estate Select Sector Index, while SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for XLRE and 0.02% for SPYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 0.61), 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.