XLU vs. UTG
Compare and contrast key facts about Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) and Reaves Utility Income Trust (UTG).
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.
Performance
XLU vs. UTG - Performance Comparison
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XLU vs. UTG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XLU Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund | 8.25% | 16.03% | 23.31% | -7.18% | 1.44% | 17.70% | 0.51% | 25.93% | 3.94% | 12.05% |
UTG Reaves Utility Income Trust | 8.44% | 23.24% | 28.10% | 2.84% | -13.38% | 14.26% | -5.25% | 33.65% | 1.84% | 6.74% |
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with XLU having a 8.25% return and UTG slightly higher at 8.44%. Over the past 10 years, XLU has underperformed UTG with an annualized return of 9.74%, while UTG has yielded a comparatively higher 10.34% annualized return.
XLU
- 1D
- -0.07%
- 1M
- -3.18%
- YTD
- 8.25%
- 6M
- 6.77%
- 1Y
- 19.71%
- 3Y*
- 14.12%
- 5Y*
- 10.80%
- 10Y*
- 9.74%
UTG
- 1D
- 0.41%
- 1M
- -5.57%
- YTD
- 8.44%
- 6M
- 2.25%
- 1Y
- 28.68%
- 3Y*
- 20.05%
- 5Y*
- 11.13%
- 10Y*
- 10.34%
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Return for Risk
XLU vs. UTG — Risk / Return Rank
XLU
UTG
XLU vs. UTG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) and Reaves Utility Income Trust (UTG). 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 | UTG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.25 | 1.52 | -0.27 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.71 | 1.83 | -0.12 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.29 | -0.06 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.29 | 2.41 | -0.12 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.51 | 5.37 | +0.15 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| XLU | UTG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.25 | 1.52 | -0.27 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.63 | 0.68 | -0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.51 | 0.48 | +0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.41 | 0.47 | -0.06 |
Correlation
The correlation between XLU and UTG is 0.58, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
XLU vs. UTG - Dividend Comparison
XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, less than UTG's 6.03% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XLU Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund | 2.59% | 2.71% | 2.96% | 3.39% | 2.92% | 2.79% | 3.14% | 2.95% | 3.33% | 3.33% | 3.41% | 3.67% |
UTG Reaves Utility Income Trust | 6.03% | 6.42% | 7.19% | 8.53% | 8.07% | 6.35% | 6.59% | 5.69% | 6.86% | 6.21% | 9.02% | 6.86% |
Drawdowns
XLU vs. UTG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XLU drawdown since its inception was -51.98%, smaller than the maximum UTG drawdown of -67.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLU and UTG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XLU | UTG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.98% | -67.77% | +15.79% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.18% | -12.01% | +2.83% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.26% | -26.54% | +1.28% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.07% | -47.91% | +11.84% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.18% | -6.02% | +2.84% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.26% | -8.79% | -1.47% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.82% | 5.40% | -1.58% |
Volatility
XLU vs. UTG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) is 5.09%, while Reaves Utility Income Trust (UTG) has a volatility of 6.42%. This indicates that XLU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UTG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| XLU | UTG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.09% | 6.42% | -1.33% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.35% | 13.20% | -2.85% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.82% | 18.93% | -3.11% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.18% | 16.56% | +0.62% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.21% | 21.54% | -2.33% |