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XLU vs. XLE
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

XLU vs. XLE

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE).

XLU and XLE are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. 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. XLE is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Energy Select Sector Index. It was launched on Dec 16, 1998. Both XLU and XLE are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

XLU vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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XLU vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
XLE
State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF		37.91%7.88%5.56%-0.63%64.32%53.28%-32.67%11.74%-18.22%-0.89%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLU achieves a 8.25% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 37.91% return. Over the past 10 years, XLU has underperformed XLE with an annualized return of 9.74%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively higher 11.65% 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%

XLE

1D
-1.13%
1M
10.27%
YTD
37.91%
6M
39.21%
1Y
35.32%
3Y*
17.71%
5Y*
23.99%
10Y*
11.65%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund

State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF

Often compared with XLU:
XLU vs. VPUXLU vs. XLPXLU vs. SPYXLU vs. FUTYXLU vs. UTESXLU vs. IDUXLU vs. SCHD
Often compared with XLE:
XLE vs. VDEXLE vs. USOXLE vs. XOPXLE vs. XLKXLE vs. IXCXLE vs. FENYXLE vs. OIH

XLU vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLU has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% 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%.

XLU
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund
XLE
State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF

Return for Risk

XLU vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XLU
XLU Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7474
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 6767
Omega Ratio Rank
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 8484
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 6161
Martin Ratio Rank
XLE
XLE Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7979
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 7676
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 7777
Omega Ratio Rank
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 7878
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 5858
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. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

XLUXLEDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

1.25

1.42

-0.17

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.71

1.84

-0.13

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.23

1.28

-0.04

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

2.29

1.96

+0.33

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

5.51

5.16

+0.36

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. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLU Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLU and XLE, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

XLUXLEDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.25

1.42

-0.17

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.63

0.93

-0.29

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.51

0.40

+0.11

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.41

0.32

+0.09

Correlation

The correlation between XLU and XLE is 0.36, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

XLU vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, more than XLE's 2.44% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
XLE
State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF		2.44%3.28%3.36%3.55%3.68%4.21%5.62%6.72%3.54%3.03%2.26%3.39%

Drawdowns

XLU vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLU drawdown since its inception was -51.98%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLU and XLE.

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Drawdown Indicators

XLUXLEDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-51.98%

-71.26%

+19.28%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.18%

-18.79%

+9.61%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.26%

-26.04%

+0.78%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.07%

-66.81%

+30.74%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.18%

-2.08%

-1.10%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.26%

-18.05%

+7.79%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.82%

7.14%

-3.32%

Volatility

XLU vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) have volatilities of 5.09% and 5.05%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

XLUXLEDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.09%

5.05%

+0.04%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.35%

13.94%

-3.59%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.82%

24.93%

-9.11%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.18%

26.06%

-8.88%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.21%

29.48%

-10.27%