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XLU vs. CNYA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XLU vs. CNYA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) and CNYA (iShares MSCI China A ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index, while CNYA is a China Equities fund tracking the MSCI China A Inclusion Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XLU returned 9.10%/yr vs -1.67%/yr for CNYA. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XLU charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for CNYA.

Performance

XLU vs. CNYA - 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 MSCI China A ETF (CNYA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLU achieves a 2.66% return, which is significantly lower than CNYA's 4.11% 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%

CNYA

1D
-0.99%
1M
-4.23%
YTD
4.11%
6M
6.49%
1Y
30.18%
3Y*
9.91%
5Y*
-1.67%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XLU vs. CNYA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
CNYA
iShares MSCI China A ETF		4.11%26.48%10.78%-13.76%-26.51%3.53%41.54%35.95%-26.56%30.99%

Correlation

The correlation between XLU and CNYA is 0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.09

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.08

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.08

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2016

0.08

XLU vs. CNYA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XLU
CNYA

Utilities

100.0%
3.2%

Basic Materials

-

10.6%

Communication Services

-

0.6%

Consumer Cyclical

-

5.7%

Consumer Defensive

-

6.7%

Energy

-

3.2%

Financial Services

-

17.0%

Healthcare

-

3.8%

Industrials

-

18.3%

Real Estate

-

0.7%

Technology

-

30.0%

Utilities

XLU
100.0%
CNYA
3.2%

Basic Materials

XLU

-

CNYA
10.6%

Communication Services

XLU

-

CNYA
0.6%

Consumer Cyclical

XLU

-

CNYA
5.7%

Consumer Defensive

XLU

-

CNYA
6.7%

Energy

XLU

-

CNYA
3.2%

Financial Services

XLU

-

CNYA
17.0%

Healthcare

XLU

-

CNYA
3.8%

Industrials

XLU

-

CNYA
18.3%

Real Estate

XLU

-

CNYA
0.7%

Technology

XLU

-

CNYA
30.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF

iShares MSCI China A ETF

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Return for Risk

XLU vs. CNYA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XLU
XLU Risk / Return Rank: 2222
Overall Rank
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2222
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2121
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 2121
Omega Ratio Rank
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 2626
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 2121
Martin Ratio Rank
CNYA
CNYA Risk / Return Rank: 6464
Overall Rank
CNYA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
CNYA Sortino Ratio Rank: 5555
Sortino Ratio Rank
CNYA Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
CNYA Calmar Ratio Rank: 8282
Calmar Ratio Rank
CNYA Martin Ratio Rank: 6969
Martin Ratio Rank
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. CNYA - 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 MSCI China A ETF (CNYA). 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.

XLUCNYADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.71
1.71

-1.01

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.04
2.39

-1.35

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.13

1.31

-0.18

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.12

3.99

-2.87

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.47

11.48

-9.00

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. CNYA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLU Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is lower than the CNYA Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLU and CNYA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

XLUCNYADifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.71

1.71

-1.01

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.53

-0.07

+0.60

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.47

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.40

0.25

+0.14

Drawdowns

XLU vs. CNYA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLU drawdown since its inception was -51.98%, which is greater than CNYA's maximum drawdown of -49.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLU and CNYA.

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Drawdown Indicators

XLUCNYADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-51.98%

-49.49%

-2.49%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.18%

-7.59%

-1.59%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.26%

-33.35%

+16.09%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.26%

-44.65%

+19.39%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.07%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-8.18%

-17.53%

+9.35%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.22%

-20.68%

+10.46%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.16%

2.64%

+1.52%

Volatility

XLU vs. CNYA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) is 5.60%, while iShares MSCI China A ETF (CNYA) has a volatility of 6.87%. This indicates that XLU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CNYA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

XLUCNYADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.60%

6.87%

-1.27%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.70%

12.79%

-1.09%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.64%

17.73%

-3.09%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.34%

23.85%

-6.51%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.27%

23.57%

-4.30%

XLU vs. CNYA - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XLU vs. CNYA - Dividend Comparison

XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.73%, more than CNYA's 1.84% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
CNYA
iShares MSCI China A ETF		1.84%1.92%2.51%4.23%2.69%1.11%1.06%1.21%3.92%0.97%1.38%0.00%
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

XLU and CNYA have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

CNYA has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to XLU (5.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLU dropped -51.98% vs CNYA's -49.49%.

On 5-year performance, XLU leads with 9.10% vs -1.67% for CNYA. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, XLU has performed better with a 9.10% return vs -1.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.73%, compared with 1.84% for CNYA.

XLU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while CNYA is China Equities. XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index, while CNYA tracks MSCI China A Inclusion Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLU and 0.60% for CNYA.

CNYA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 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.

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