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XLU vs. IJH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XLU vs. IJH

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) and IJH (iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index, while IJH is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLU returned 9.14%/yr vs 11.45%/yr for IJH. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XLU charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for IJH.

Performance

XLU vs. IJH - 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 Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH). 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 3.91% return, which is significantly lower than IJH's 14.66% return. Over the past 10 years, XLU has underperformed IJH with an annualized return of 9.14%, while IJH has yielded a comparatively higher 11.45% annualized return.

XLU

1D
0.11%
1M
-2.52%
YTD
3.91%
6M
3.83%
1Y
11.99%
3Y*
13.37%
5Y*
9.18%
10Y*
9.14%

IJH

1D
2.51%
1M
2.96%
YTD
14.66%
6M
11.74%
1Y
25.20%
3Y*
15.52%
5Y*
8.10%
10Y*
11.45%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XLU vs. IJH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		3.91%16.03%23.31%-7.18%1.44%17.70%0.51%25.93%3.94%12.05%
IJH
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF		14.66%7.42%13.92%16.40%-13.11%24.72%13.60%26.10%-11.19%16.26%

Correlation

The correlation between XLU and IJH is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.28

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

0.37

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

0.40

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.35

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2000

0.46

The correlation between XLU and IJH shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (1 year) to 0.46 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XLU vs. IJH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XLU
IJH

Utilities

100.0%
3.1%

Basic Materials

-

4.8%

Communication Services

-

1.0%

Consumer Cyclical

-

10.7%

Consumer Defensive

-

3.8%

Energy

-

5.5%

Financial Services

-

14.4%

Healthcare

-

8.6%

Industrials

-

25.0%

Real Estate

-

7.5%

Technology

-

15.7%

Utilities

XLU
100.0%
IJH
3.1%

Basic Materials

XLU

-

IJH
4.8%

Communication Services

XLU

-

IJH
1.0%

Consumer Cyclical

XLU

-

IJH
10.7%

Consumer Defensive

XLU

-

IJH
3.8%

Energy

XLU

-

IJH
5.5%

Financial Services

XLU

-

IJH
14.4%

Healthcare

XLU

-

IJH
8.6%

Industrials

XLU

-

IJH
25.0%

Real Estate

XLU

-

IJH
7.5%

Technology

XLU

-

IJH
15.7%

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 Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF

Often compared with XLU:
XLU vs. VPUXLU vs. XLEXLU vs. XLPXLU vs. SPYXLU vs. FUTYXLU vs. UTESXLU vs. IDU
Often compared with IJH:
IJH vs. VOIJH vs. IJRIJH vs. MDYIJH vs. IJJIJH vs. IJKIJH vs. SCHMIJH vs. IVOO

Return for Risk

XLU vs. IJH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XLU
XLU Risk / Return Rank: 2828
Overall Rank
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2828
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2626
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 2626
Omega Ratio Rank
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 3232
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 2626
Martin Ratio Rank
IJH
IJH Risk / Return Rank: 6262
Overall Rank
IJH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5757
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJH Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJH Omega Ratio Rank: 5555
Omega Ratio Rank
IJH Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJH 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. IJH - 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 Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH). 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.

XLUIJHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.82
1.59

-0.77

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.19
2.33

-1.14

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.15

1.28

-0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.31

2.87

-1.56

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.84

10.47

-7.63

XLU vs. IJH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLU Sharpe Ratio is 0.82, which is lower than the IJH Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLU and IJH, 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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Drawdowns

XLU vs. IJH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLU drawdown since its inception was -51.98%, smaller than the maximum IJH drawdown of -55.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLU and IJH.

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Drawdown Indicators

XLUIJHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-51.98%

-55.07%

+3.09%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.18%

-8.83%

-0.35%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.26%

-24.10%

+6.84%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.26%

-24.10%

-1.16%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.07%

-42.18%

+6.11%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-7.06%

0.00%

-7.06%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.22%

-7.56%

-2.66%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.23%

2.41%

+1.82%

Volatility

XLU vs. IJH - Volatility Comparison

State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a higher volatility of 5.58% compared to iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) at 5.07%. This indicates that XLU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IJH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

XLUIJHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.58%

5.07%

+0.51%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.63%

11.85%

-0.22%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.63%

15.89%

-1.26%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.34%

19.80%

-2.46%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.27%

21.20%

-1.93%

XLU vs. IJH - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLU has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than IJH's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XLU vs. IJH - Dividend Comparison

XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%, more than IJH's 1.18% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IJH
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF		1.18%1.36%1.33%1.46%1.68%1.18%1.28%1.63%1.72%1.19%1.60%1.56%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		2.70%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 IJH have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

XLU has higher volatility (5.58%) compared to IJH (5.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLU dropped -51.98% vs IJH's -55.07%.

On 10-year performance, IJH leads with 11.45% vs 9.14% for XLU. On fees, IJH is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IJH has been the lower-risk option at 5.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IJH has performed better with a 11.45% return vs 9.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IJH is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLU.

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.70%, compared with 1.18% for IJH.

XLU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while IJH is Mid Cap Blend Equities. XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index, while IJH tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLU and 0.05% for IJH.

IJH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 0.82), 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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