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XLU vs. XLF
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

XLU vs. XLF

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) and Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF).

XLU and XLF 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. XLF is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Financial Select Sector Index. It was launched on Dec 16, 1998. Both XLU and XLF 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. XLF - Performance Comparison

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

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XLU vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XLU
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund		8.77%16.03%23.31%-7.18%1.44%17.70%0.51%25.93%3.94%12.05%
XLF
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund		-9.27%14.90%30.56%12.03%-10.59%34.80%-1.74%31.88%-13.06%22.00%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLU achieves a 8.77% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -9.27% return. Over the past 10 years, XLU has underperformed XLF with an annualized return of 9.79%, while XLF has yielded a comparatively higher 12.45% annualized return.

XLU

1D
0.48%
1M
-1.98%
YTD
8.77%
6M
6.26%
1Y
19.98%
3Y*
14.30%
5Y*
10.90%
10Y*
9.79%

XLF

1D
0.14%
1M
-3.13%
YTD
-9.27%
6M
-6.60%
1Y
0.91%
3Y*
17.30%
5Y*
9.37%
10Y*
12.45%
*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

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund

Often compared with XLU:
XLU vs. VPUXLU vs. XLEXLU vs. XLPXLU vs. SPYXLU vs. FUTYXLU vs. UTESXLU vs. IDU
Often compared with XLF:
XLF vs. SPYXLF vs. VFHXLF vs. XLVXLF vs. KBWBXLF vs. KREXLF vs. IYFXLF vs. KBE

XLU vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both XLU and XLF have an expense ratio of 0.13%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

XLU
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund
XLF
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund

Return for Risk

XLU vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XLU
XLU Risk / Return Rank: 6666
Overall Rank
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 6262
Omega Ratio Rank
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
Martin Ratio Rank
XLF
XLF Risk / Return Rank: 1313
Overall Rank
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1313
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 1212
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 1212
Omega Ratio Rank
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 1313
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 1313
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. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) and Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF). 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.

XLUXLFDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

1.27

0.05

+1.22

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.73

0.19

+1.53

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.23

1.03

+0.21

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

2.21

0.05

+2.16

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

5.31

0.16

+5.15

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XLU vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLU Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is higher than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLU and XLF, 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

XLUXLFDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.27

0.05

+1.22

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.64

0.50

+0.13

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.51

0.56

-0.05

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.41

0.20

+0.21

Correlation

The correlation between XLU and XLF is 0.41, 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. XLF - Dividend Comparison

XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, more than XLF's 1.60% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
XLU
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund		2.58%2.71%2.96%3.39%2.92%2.79%3.14%2.95%3.33%3.33%3.41%3.67%
XLF
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund		1.60%1.31%1.42%1.71%2.04%1.63%2.03%1.87%2.08%1.48%21.10%1.95%

Drawdowns

XLU vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLU drawdown since its inception was -51.98%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLU and XLF.

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Drawdown Indicators

XLUXLFDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-51.98%

-82.69%

+30.71%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.18%

-14.79%

+5.61%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.26%

-25.81%

+0.55%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.07%

-42.86%

+6.79%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.72%

-11.89%

+9.17%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.26%

-20.10%

+9.84%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.82%

4.96%

-1.14%

Volatility

XLU vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) has a higher volatility of 5.09% compared to Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) at 4.76%. This indicates that XLU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

XLUXLFDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.09%

4.76%

+0.33%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.36%

11.45%

-1.09%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.79%

19.25%

-3.46%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.18%

18.69%

-1.51%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.21%

22.18%

-2.97%