XLU vs. ANGL

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) and ANGL (VanEck Vectors Fallen Angel High Yield Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index, while ANGL is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the BofA Merrill Lynch US Fallen Angel High Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLU returned 8.99%/yr vs 6.13%/yr for ANGL. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XLU charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for ANGL.

Performance

XLU vs. ANGL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) and VanEck Vectors Fallen Angel High Yield Bond ETF (ANGL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLU achieves a 2.66% return, which is significantly higher than ANGL's 1.27% return. Over the past 10 years, XLU has outperformed ANGL with an annualized return of 8.99%, while ANGL has yielded a comparatively lower 6.13% annualized return.

XLU

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: -2.68%
• YTD: 2.66%
• 6M: 3.35%
• 1Y: 10.26%
• 3Y*: 12.85%
• 5Y*: 9.10%
• 10Y*: 8.99%

ANGL

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.23%
• YTD: 1.27%
• 6M: 1.74%
• 1Y: 7.79%
• 3Y*: 8.23%
• 5Y*: 3.26%
• 10Y*: 6.13%

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

XLU vs. ANGL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.66%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%
ANGL VanEck Vectors Fallen Angel High Yield Bond ETF	1.27%	9.04%	6.06%	12.52%	-14.26%	6.84%	13.20%	18.06%	-5.84%	9.71%

Correlation

The correlation between XLU and ANGL is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2012	0.26

The correlation between XLU and ANGL shifts across timeframes, from 0.26 (all time) to 0.37 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XLU vs. ANGL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLU	ANGL
Utilities	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	100.0%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

XLU vs. ANGL — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 22
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

ANGL

ANGL Risk / Return Rank: 56
ANGL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
ANGL Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
ANGL Omega Ratio Rank: 65
ANGL Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
ANGL Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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. ANGL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) and VanEck Vectors Fallen Angel High Yield Bond ETF (ANGL). 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.

	XLU	ANGL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.71	1.81	-1.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.04	2.58	-1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.35	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.12	1.93	-0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.47	8.09	-5.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XLU vs. ANGL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLU Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is lower than the ANGL Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLU and ANGL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XLU	ANGL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71	1.81	-1.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	0.43	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.66	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.73	-0.34

Drawdowns

XLU vs. ANGL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLU drawdown since its inception was -51.98%, which is greater than ANGL's maximum drawdown of -29.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLU and ANGL.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLU	ANGL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.98%	-29.31%	-22.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.18%	-4.05%	-5.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.26%	-5.48%	-11.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.26%	-19.25%	-6.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.07%	-29.31%	-6.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.18%	-0.58%	-7.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.22%	-3.30%	-6.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.16%	0.96%	+3.20%

Volatility

XLU vs. ANGL - Volatility Comparison

State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a higher volatility of 5.60% compared to VanEck Vectors Fallen Angel High Yield Bond ETF (ANGL) at 1.35%. This indicates that XLU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ANGL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLU	ANGL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.60%	1.35%	+4.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.70%	3.50%	+8.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.64%	4.34%	+10.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.34%	7.63%	+9.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.27%	9.28%	+9.99%

XLU vs. ANGL - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLU has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than ANGL's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLU vs. ANGL - Dividend Comparison

XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.73%, less than ANGL's 6.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ANGL VanEck Vectors Fallen Angel High Yield Bond ETF	6.39%	6.20%	6.29%	5.27%	4.72%	3.90%	4.67%	5.19%	5.99%	5.25%	5.34%	5.81%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.73%	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 ANGL in my portfolio?

XLU and ANGL have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLU or ANGL?

XLU has higher volatility (5.60%) compared to ANGL (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLU dropped -51.98% vs ANGL's -29.31%.

Which ETF is better, XLU or ANGL?

On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 8.99% vs 6.13% for ANGL. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, ANGL has been the lower-risk option at 1.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLU or ANGL?

Over the 10-year period, XLU has performed better with a 8.99% return vs 6.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLU or ANGL?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for ANGL.

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

ANGL has the higher dividend yield at 6.39%, compared with 2.73% for XLU.

What is the main difference between XLU and ANGL?

XLU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while ANGL is High Yield Bonds. XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index, while ANGL tracks BofA Merrill Lynch US Fallen Angel High Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLU and 0.35% for ANGL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ANGL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 0.70), 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.