XLU vs. BILT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) and BILT (iShares Infrastructure Active ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds. XLU is passively managed, while BILT is actively managed. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLU charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for BILT.

Performance

XLU vs. BILT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLU achieves a 3.55% return, which is significantly lower than BILT's 12.39% return.

XLU

• 1D: 1.86%
• 1M: -5.69%
• YTD: 3.55%
• 6M: 1.36%
• 1Y: 9.88%
• 3Y*: 13.91%
• 5Y*: 9.31%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

BILT

• 1D: 1.02%
• 1M: -2.06%
• YTD: 12.39%
• 6M: 11.94%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XLU vs. BILT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.55%	1.08%
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF	12.39%	3.99%

Correlation

The correlation between XLU and BILT is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2025	0.74

Return for Risk

XLU vs. BILT — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 21
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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. BILT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) and iShares Infrastructure Active ETF (BILT). 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	BILT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.68	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.01	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.11	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.52	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XLU	BILT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	2.00	-1.60

Drawdowns

XLU vs. BILT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLU drawdown since its inception was -51.98%, which is greater than BILT's maximum drawdown of -5.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLU and BILT.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLU	BILT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.98%	-5.38%	-46.60%
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	-7.38%	-2.36%	-5.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.22%	-1.43%	-8.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.07%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XLU	BILT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.41%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.76%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.56%	10.30%	+4.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.32%	10.30%	+7.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.26%	10.30%	+8.96%

XLU vs. BILT - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLU has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than BILT's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLU vs. BILT - Dividend Comparison

XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.71%, more than BILT's 1.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF	1.33%	0.99%	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	2.71%	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 BILT in my portfolio?

XLU and BILT have a correlation of 0.74, 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 BILT?

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 BILT?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for BILT.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.71%, compared with 1.33% for BILT.

What is the main difference between XLU and BILT?

They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLU and 0.60% for BILT.