XLSI vs. FAI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XLSI (Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and FAI (First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLSI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street, while FAI is a Artificial Intelligence fund tracking the Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index. XLSI is actively managed, while FAI is passively managed. Over the past year, XLSI returned 6.59% vs 40.34% for FAI. Their -0.33 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. XLSI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for FAI.

Performance

XLSI vs. FAI - 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 First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI). 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 FAI's 23.08% return.

XLSI

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

FAI

• 1D: 2.93%
• 1M: -1.97%
• 6M: 21.54%
• YTD: 23.08%
• 1Y: 40.34%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 35.90%

*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)
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	$1.56M	$3.03M	$3.57M
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$285.83K	$265.98K	$245.15K

XLSI vs. FAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	6.67%	-1.06%
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	23.08%	11.09%

Correlation

The correlation between XLSI and FAI is -0.34, 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.	-0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	-0.33

Return for Risk

XLSI vs. FAI — 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

FAI

FAI Risk / Return Rank: 48
FAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
FAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
FAI Omega Ratio Rank: 45
FAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
FAI 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. FAI - 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 First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI). 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	FAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	1.23	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.98	1.71	-0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.21	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.91	1.91	-1.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.87	4.97	-3.11

XLSI vs. FAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLSI Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is lower than the FAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLSI and FAI, 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. FAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLSI drawdown since its inception was -7.87%, smaller than the maximum FAI drawdown of -27.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLSI and FAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLSI	FAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.87%	-27.82%	+19.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.87%	-18.84%	+10.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.93%	-12.57%	+10.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.20%	-5.77%	+2.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	7.22%	-3.40%

Volatility

XLSI vs. FAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLSI) is 4.23%, while First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) has a volatility of 10.00%. This indicates that XLSI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLSI	FAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.23%	10.00%	-5.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.87%	24.66%	-15.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.17%	29.24%	-18.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.17%	31.30%	-20.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.17%	31.30%	-20.13%

XLSI vs. FAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLSI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than FAI's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLSI vs. FAI - Dividend Comparison

XLSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.89%, while FAI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	11.89%	5.34%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLSI and FAI in my portfolio?

XLSI and FAI have a correlation of -0.34, 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 FAI?

FAI has higher volatility (10.00%) compared to XLSI (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLSI dropped -7.87% vs FAI's -27.82%.

Which ETF is better, XLSI or FAI?

On 1-year performance, FAI leads with 40.34% 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 FAI?

Over the 1-year period, FAI has performed better with a 40.34% 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 FAI?

XLSI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FAI.

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

XLSI has the higher dividend yield at 11.89%, compared with 0.00% for FAI.

What is the main difference between XLSI and FAI?

XLSI is categorized as Derivative Income, while FAI is Artificial Intelligence. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLSI and 0.65% for FAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 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.