XLU vs. SO
Compare and contrast key facts about Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) and The Southern Company (SO).
XLU is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Utilities Select Sector Index. It was launched on Dec 16, 1998.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: XLU or SO.
Key characteristics
| XLU | SO | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 8.91% | 9.32% |
| 1Y Return | 3.17% | 6.35% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 4.18% | 8.80% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 6.61% | 11.85% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 8.37% | 10.19% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.23 | 0.43 |
| Daily Std Dev | 17.05% | 18.03% |
| Max Drawdown | -52.27% | -38.43% |
| Current Drawdown | -7.38% | 0.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between XLU and SO is 0.75, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
XLU vs. SO - Performance Comparison
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with XLU having a 8.91% return and SO slightly higher at 9.32%. Over the past 10 years, XLU has underperformed SO with an annualized return of 8.37%, while SO has yielded a comparatively higher 10.19% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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Risk-Adjusted Performance
XLU vs. SO - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) and The Southern Company (SO). 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.
Dividends
XLU vs. SO - Dividend Comparison
XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.18%, less than SO's 3.69% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XLU Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund | 3.18% | 3.39% | 2.92% | 2.79% | 3.14% | 2.95% | 3.33% | 3.33% | 3.41% | 3.67% | 3.19% | 3.86% |
SO The Southern Company | 3.69% | 3.96% | 3.78% | 3.82% | 4.13% | 3.86% | 5.42% | 4.78% | 4.52% | 4.60% | 4.24% | 4.90% |
Drawdowns
XLU vs. SO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XLU drawdown since its inception was -52.27%, which is greater than SO's maximum drawdown of -38.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLU and SO. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
XLU vs. SO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) is 4.55%, while The Southern Company (SO) has a volatility of 5.53%. This indicates that XLU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.