XLSI vs. IVVW

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XLSI (Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and IVVW (iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. XLSI is actively managed, while IVVW is passively managed. Over the past year, XLSI returned 6.59% vs 18.56% for IVVW. Their -0.04 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. XLSI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IVVW.

Performance

XLSI vs. IVVW - 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 iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW). 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 IVVW's 7.09% return.

XLSI

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

IVVW

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 1.31%
• 6M: 6.25%
• YTD: 7.09%
• 1Y: 18.56%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.42%

*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)
IVVW iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF	$1.59M	$1.91M	$2.60M
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$285.83K	$265.98K	$245.15K

XLSI vs. IVVW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	6.67%	-1.06%
IVVW iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF	7.09%	9.59%

Correlation

The correlation between XLSI and IVVW is -0.04, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	-0.04

XLSI vs. IVVW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLSI	IVVW
Financial Services	100.0%	12.5%
Consumer Defensive	98.2%	4.8%
Consumer Cyclical	1.8%	8.9%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	9.7%
Energy	-	3.4%
Healthcare	-	9.4%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	2.0%
Technology	-	36.9%
Utilities	-	2.6%

Return for Risk

XLSI vs. IVVW — 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

IVVW

IVVW Risk / Return Rank: 87
IVVW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
IVVW Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
IVVW Omega Ratio Rank: 91
IVVW Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
IVVW Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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. IVVW - 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 iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW). 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	IVVW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	2.05	-1.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.98	2.83	-1.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.43	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.91	3.02	-2.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.87	15.69	-13.83

XLSI vs. IVVW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLSI Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is lower than the IVVW Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLSI and IVVW, 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. IVVW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLSI drawdown since its inception was -7.87%, smaller than the maximum IVVW drawdown of -16.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLSI and IVVW.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLSI	IVVW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.87%	-16.79%	+8.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.87%	-5.81%	-2.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.93%	-0.11%	-1.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.20%	-1.68%	-1.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	1.12%	+2.70%

Volatility

XLSI vs. IVVW - Volatility Comparison

Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLSI) has a higher volatility of 4.23% compared to iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW) at 2.90%. This indicates that XLSI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IVVW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLSI	IVVW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.23%	2.90%	+1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.87%	7.28%	+1.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.17%	8.56%	+2.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.17%	12.56%	-1.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.17%	12.56%	-1.39%

XLSI vs. IVVW - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLSI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than IVVW's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLSI vs. IVVW - Dividend Comparison

XLSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.89%, less than IVVW's 19.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
IVVW iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF	19.01%	18.55%	13.72%
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	11.89%	5.34%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLSI and IVVW in my portfolio?

XLSI and IVVW have a correlation of -0.04, 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 IVVW?

XLSI has higher volatility (4.23%) compared to IVVW (2.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLSI dropped -7.87% vs IVVW's -16.79%.

Which ETF is better, XLSI or IVVW?

On 1-year performance, IVVW leads with 18.56% vs 6.59% for XLSI. On fees, IVVW is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IVVW has been the lower-risk option at 2.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLSI or IVVW?

Over the 1-year period, IVVW has performed better with a 18.56% 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 IVVW?

IVVW is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLSI.

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

IVVW has the higher dividend yield at 19.01%, compared with 11.89% for XLSI.

What is the main difference between XLSI and IVVW?

They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLSI and 0.25% for IVVW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVVW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 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.