XLU vs. ICSH

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) and ICSH (iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index, while ICSH is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by iShares. XLU is passively managed, while ICSH is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLU returned 8.99%/yr vs 2.77%/yr for ICSH. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.08% expense ratio.

Performance

XLU vs. ICSH - 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 Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH). 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 ICSH's 1.43% return. Over the past 10 years, XLU has outperformed ICSH with an annualized return of 8.99%, while ICSH has yielded a comparatively lower 2.77% 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%

ICSH

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 1.43%
• 6M: 1.75%
• 1Y: 4.30%
• 3Y*: 5.15%
• 5Y*: 3.67%
• 10Y*: 2.77%

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

XLU vs. ICSH - 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%
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF	1.43%	4.96%	5.52%	5.58%	0.97%	0.16%	1.61%	3.17%	2.25%	1.63%

Correlation

The correlation between XLU and ICSH is 0.10, 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	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 16, 2013	0.08

XLU vs. ICSH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

XLU vs. ICSH — 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

ICSH

ICSH Risk / Return Rank: 99
ICSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
ICSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
ICSH Omega Ratio Rank: 99
ICSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
ICSH Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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. ICSH - 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 Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH). 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	ICSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.71	11.01	-10.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.04	27.36	-26.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	6.56	-5.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.12	43.67	-42.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.47	288.81	-286.33
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. ICSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLU Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is lower than the ICSH Sharpe Ratio of 11.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLU and ICSH, 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	ICSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71	11.01	-10.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	7.62	-7.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	2.63	-2.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	1.93	-1.54

Drawdowns

XLU vs. ICSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLU drawdown since its inception was -51.98%, which is greater than ICSH's maximum drawdown of -3.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLU and ICSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLU	ICSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.98%	-3.94%	-48.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.18%	-0.10%	-9.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.26%	-0.10%	-17.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.26%	-0.73%	-24.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.07%	-3.94%	-32.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.18%	-0.02%	-8.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.22%	-0.08%	-10.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.16%	0.01%	+4.15%

Volatility

XLU vs. ICSH - Volatility Comparison

State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a higher volatility of 5.60% compared to iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) at 0.15%. This indicates that XLU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLU	ICSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.60%	0.15%	+5.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.70%	0.30%	+11.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.64%	0.39%	+14.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.34%	0.48%	+16.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.27%	1.06%	+18.21%

XLU vs. ICSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both XLU and ICSH have an expense ratio of 0.08%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XLU vs. ICSH - Dividend Comparison

XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.73%, less than ICSH's 4.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF	4.34%	4.55%	5.24%	4.78%	1.66%	0.42%	1.21%	2.61%	2.20%	1.36%	0.88%	0.54%
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 ICSH in my portfolio?

XLU and ICSH have a correlation of 0.10, 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 ICSH?

XLU has higher volatility (5.60%) compared to ICSH (0.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLU dropped -51.98% vs ICSH's -3.94%.

Which ETF is better, XLU or ICSH?

On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 8.99% vs 2.77% for ICSH. Both ETFs have the same 0.08% expense ratio. On volatility, ICSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLU or ICSH?

Over the 10-year period, XLU has performed better with a 8.99% return vs 2.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLU or ICSH?

XLU and ICSH have the same expense ratio: 0.08% per year.

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

ICSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.34%, compared with 2.73% for XLU.

What is the main difference between XLU and ICSH?

XLU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while ICSH is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.01 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.