XLU vs. SGOL
XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) and SGOL (abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index, while SGOL is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLU returned 9.20%/yr vs 12.34%/yr for SGOL. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XLU charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for SGOL.
Performance
XLU vs. SGOL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XLU achieves a 5.04% return, which is significantly higher than SGOL's -2.39% return. Over the past 10 years, XLU has underperformed SGOL with an annualized return of 9.20%, while SGOL has yielded a comparatively higher 12.34% annualized return.
XLU
- 1D
- 1.09%
- 1M
- 1.50%
- YTD
- 5.04%
- 6M
- 5.48%
- 1Y
- 12.50%
- 3Y*
- 13.79%
- 5Y*
- 9.41%
- 10Y*
- 9.20%
SGOL
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- -7.35%
- YTD
- -2.39%
- 6M
- -2.15%
- 1Y
- 22.44%
- 3Y*
- 29.18%
- 5Y*
- 17.34%
- 10Y*
- 12.34%
XLU vs. SGOL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | 5.04% | 16.03% | 23.31% | -7.18% | 1.44% | 17.70% | 0.51% | 25.93% | 3.94% | 12.05% |
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | -2.39% | 63.99% | 26.90% | 12.99% | -0.51% | -3.94% | 25.03% | 18.21% | -1.94% | 12.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between XLU and SGOL is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2009 | 0.13 |
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Return for Risk
XLU vs. SGOL — Risk / Return Rank
XLU
SGOL
XLU vs. SGOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL). 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.
| XLU | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.08 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.19 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.30 | 0.99 | +0.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.80 | 2.85 | -0.05 |
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Drawdowns
XLU vs. SGOL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XLU drawdown since its inception was -51.98%, which is greater than SGOL's maximum drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLU and SGOL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XLU | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.98% | -45.51% | -6.47% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.18% | -24.37% | +15.19% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.26% | -24.37% | +7.11% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.26% | -24.37% | -0.89% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.07% | -24.37% | -11.70% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.05% | -22.00% | +15.95% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.22% | -18.41% | +8.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.25% | 8.46% | -4.21% |
Volatility
XLU vs. SGOL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) is 5.59%, while abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) has a volatility of 7.69%. This indicates that XLU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SGOL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| XLU | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.59% | 7.69% | -2.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.68% | 23.85% | -12.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.66% | 27.08% | -12.42% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.34% | 18.10% | -0.76% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.27% | 16.04% | +3.23% |
XLU vs. SGOL - Expense Ratio Comparison
XLU has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than SGOL's 0.17% expense ratio. Despite the difference, 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. SGOL - Dividend Comparison
XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, while SGOL has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 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 | 2.67% | 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 SGOL have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SGOL has higher volatility (7.69%) compared to XLU (5.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLU dropped -51.98% vs SGOL's -45.51%.
On 10-year performance, SGOL leads with 12.34% vs 9.20% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SGOL has performed better with a 12.34% return vs 9.20%. 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 0.17% for SGOL.
XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 0.00% for SGOL.
XLU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while SGOL is Gold. XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index, while SGOL tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). They also come from different issuers: State Street and abrdn. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLU and 0.17% for SGOL.
SGOL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.89 vs 0.81), 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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