XLSI vs. FAI

Last updated Jun 23, 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 Technology Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index. XLSI is actively managed, while FAI is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.25, they often move in opposite directions. 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 3.26% return, which is significantly lower than FAI's 34.05% return.

XLSI

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: -1.08%
• YTD: 3.26%
• 6M: 3.30%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FAI

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 7.16%
• YTD: 34.05%
• 6M: 33.89%
• 1Y: 66.20%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XLSI vs. FAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	3.26%	-1.06%
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	34.05%	11.09%

Correlation

The correlation between XLSI and FAI is -0.25, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	-0.25

Return for Risk

XLSI vs. FAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLSI

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

FAI

FAI Risk / Return Rank: 70
FAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
FAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
FAI Omega Ratio Rank: 70
FAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
FAI Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

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	—	2.47	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.97	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.40	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.53	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	11.01	—

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	—	-18.84%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.07%	-4.79%	-0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.26%	-5.36%	+2.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	6.03%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XLSI	FAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	13.67%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	22.18%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.70%	27.02%	-16.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.70%	30.90%	-20.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.70%	30.90%	-20.20%

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 10.61%, 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	10.61%	5.34%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLSI and FAI in my portfolio?

XLSI and FAI have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XLSI or FAI?

On fees, XLSI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

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 10.61%, compared with 0.00% for FAI.

What is the main difference between XLSI and FAI?

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