XLSI vs. ALAI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XLSI (Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and ALAI (Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLSI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street, while ALAI is a Artificial Intelligence fund actively managed by Alger. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, XLSI returned 6.59% vs 36.47% for ALAI. Their -0.29 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. XLSI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ALAI.

Performance

XLSI vs. ALAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLSI) and Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLSI achieves a 6.67% return, which is significantly lower than ALAI's 19.08% return.

XLSI

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.27%
• 6M: 1.55%
• YTD: 6.67%
• 1Y: 6.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.53%

ALAI

• 1D: 1.40%
• 1M: -1.31%
• 6M: 19.94%
• YTD: 19.08%
• 1Y: 36.47%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 40.60%

*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)
ALAI Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF	$3.04M	$4.96M	$4.06M
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$285.83K	$265.98K	$245.15K

XLSI vs. ALAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	6.67%	-1.06%
ALAI Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF	19.08%	14.03%

Correlation

The correlation between XLSI and ALAI is -0.28, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	-0.29

XLSI vs. ALAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLSI	ALAI
Financial Services	100.0%	4.1%
Consumer Defensive	98.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.8%	11.9%
Basic Materials	-	0.7%
Communication Services	-	18.0%
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	2.6%
Industrials	-	5.8%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	53.7%
Utilities	-	3.2%

Return for Risk

XLSI vs. ALAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLSI

XLSI Risk / Return Rank: 26
XLSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
XLSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
XLSI Omega Ratio Rank: 26
XLSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
XLSI Martin Ratio Rank: 24

ALAI

ALAI Risk / Return Rank: 45
ALAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
ALAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
ALAI Omega Ratio Rank: 43
ALAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
ALAI Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

XLSI vs. ALAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLSI) and Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI). 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.

	XLSI	ALAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	1.15	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.98	1.69	-0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.20	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.91	1.63	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.87	4.82	-2.95

XLSI vs. ALAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLSI Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is lower than the ALAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLSI and ALAI, 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

XLSI vs. ALAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLSI drawdown since its inception was -7.87%, smaller than the maximum ALAI drawdown of -29.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLSI and ALAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLSI	ALAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.87%	-29.36%	+21.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.87%	-19.48%	+11.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.93%	-8.02%	+6.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.20%	-5.18%	+1.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	6.59%	-2.77%

Volatility

XLSI vs. ALAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLSI) is 4.23%, while Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI) has a volatility of 10.55%. This indicates that XLSI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ALAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLSI	ALAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.23%	10.55%	-6.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.87%	22.46%	-13.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.17%	27.66%	-16.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.17%	29.12%	-17.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.17%	29.12%	-17.95%

XLSI vs. ALAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLSI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than ALAI's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLSI vs. ALAI - Dividend Comparison

XLSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.89%, more than ALAI's 1.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
ALAI Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF	1.26%	1.50%	0.66%
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	11.89%	5.34%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLSI and ALAI in my portfolio?

XLSI and ALAI have a correlation of -0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLSI or ALAI?

ALAI has higher volatility (10.55%) compared to XLSI (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLSI dropped -7.87% vs ALAI's -29.36%.

Which ETF is better, XLSI or ALAI?

On 1-year performance, ALAI leads with 36.47% vs 6.59% for XLSI. On fees, XLSI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XLSI has been the lower-risk option at 4.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLSI or ALAI?

Over the 1-year period, ALAI has performed better with a 36.47% return vs 6.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLSI or ALAI?

XLSI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ALAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLSI or ALAI?

XLSI has the higher dividend yield at 11.89%, compared with 1.26% for ALAI.

What is the main difference between XLSI and ALAI?

XLSI is categorized as Derivative Income, while ALAI is Artificial Intelligence. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Alger. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLSI and 0.55% for ALAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.15 vs 0.64), 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.