XLU vs. AIPO

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) and AIPO (Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index, while AIPO is a Building & Construction fund tracking the MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XLU charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for AIPO.

Performance

XLU vs. AIPO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) and Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLU achieves a 5.04% return, which is significantly lower than AIPO's 42.18% return.

XLU

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: 1.50%
• YTD: 5.04%
• 6M: 5.48%
• 1Y: 12.50%
• 3Y*: 13.79%
• 5Y*: 9.41%
• 10Y*: 9.20%

AIPO

• 1D: 1.81%
• 1M: -2.51%
• YTD: 42.18%
• 6M: 37.77%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XLU vs. AIPO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	5.04%	2.73%
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	42.18%	9.46%

Correlation

The correlation between XLU and AIPO is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2025	0.32

XLU vs. AIPO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLU	AIPO
Utilities	100.0%	13.5%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	0.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	6.0%
Financial Services	-	4.8%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	54.2%
Real Estate	-	1.0%
Technology	-	19.8%

Return for Risk

XLU vs. AIPO — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 26
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 24

AIPO

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

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.

XLU vs. AIPO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) and Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO). 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.

	XLU	AIPO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.81	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.30	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.80	—	—

Drawdowns

XLU vs. AIPO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLU drawdown since its inception was -51.98%, which is greater than AIPO's maximum drawdown of -17.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLU and AIPO.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLU	AIPO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.98%	-17.31%	-34.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.18%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.26%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.26%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.05%	-7.53%	+1.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.22%	-4.48%	-5.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.25%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XLU	AIPO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.59%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.68%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.66%	35.17%	-20.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.34%	35.17%	-17.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.27%	35.17%	-15.90%

XLU vs. AIPO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLU has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than AIPO's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLU vs. AIPO - Dividend Comparison

XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, more than AIPO's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.67%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLU and AIPO in my portfolio?

XLU and AIPO have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XLU or AIPO?

On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLU or AIPO?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for AIPO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLU or AIPO?

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 0.01% for AIPO.

What is the main difference between XLU and AIPO?

XLU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while AIPO is Building & Construction. XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index, while AIPO tracks MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLU and 0.69% for AIPO.