XLU vs. XLUI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) and XLUI (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds from State Street. XLU is passively managed, while XLUI is actively managed. Over the past year, XLU returned 6.29% vs 7.84% for XLUI. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. XLU charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLUI.

Performance

XLU vs. XLUI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLU achieves a 5.31% return, which is significantly lower than XLUI's 7.70% return.

XLU

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: -3.06%
• 6M: 5.48%
• YTD: 5.31%
• 1Y: 6.29%
• 3Y*: 14.91%
• 5Y*: 9.09%
• 10Y*: 9.15%
• ALL TIME*: 7.66%

XLUI

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: -2.27%
• 6M: 7.39%
• YTD: 7.70%
• 1Y: 7.84%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.90%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	$861.26M	$820.83M	$918.15M
XLUI State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$814.78K	$739.79K	$655.05K

XLU vs. XLUI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	5.31%	2.39%
XLUI State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	7.70%	0.27%

Correlation

The correlation between XLU and XLUI is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.94

The correlation between XLU and XLUI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

XLU vs. XLUI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLU	XLUI
Utilities	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	100.4%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

XLU vs. XLUI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 21
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

XLUI

XLUI Risk / Return Rank: 30
XLUI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
XLUI Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
XLUI Omega Ratio Rank: 27
XLUI Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
XLUI Martin Ratio Rank: 33

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

XLU vs. XLUI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLUI). 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	XLUI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	0.70	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.68	0.99	-0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.13	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.69	1.31	-0.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.40	3.11	-1.71

XLU vs. XLUI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLU Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the XLUI Sharpe Ratio of 0.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLU and XLUI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

XLU vs. XLUI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLU drawdown since its inception was -51.98%, which is greater than XLUI's maximum drawdown of -6.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLU and XLUI.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLU	XLUI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.98%	-6.01%	-45.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.18%	-6.01%	-3.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.15%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.26%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.81%	-4.10%	-1.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.19%	-1.87%	-8.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	2.53%	+1.96%

Volatility

XLU vs. XLUI - Volatility Comparison

State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a higher volatility of 3.95% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLUI) at 3.45%. This indicates that XLU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLUI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLU	XLUI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.95%	3.45%	+0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.01%	8.96%	+3.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.02%	11.35%	+3.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.34%	11.29%	+6.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.30%	11.29%	+8.01%

XLU vs. XLUI - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLU has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than XLUI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLU vs. XLUI - Dividend Comparison

XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, less than XLUI's 14.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.69%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%
XLUI State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	14.76%	7.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLU and XLUI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, XLU and XLUI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, XLU or XLUI?

XLU has higher volatility (3.95%) compared to XLUI (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLU dropped -51.98% vs XLUI's -6.01%.

Which ETF is better, XLU or XLUI?

On 1-year performance, XLUI leads with 7.84% vs 6.29% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLUI has been the lower-risk option at 3.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLU or XLUI?

Over the 1-year period, XLUI has performed better with a 7.84% return vs 6.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLU or XLUI?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLUI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLU or XLUI?

XLUI has the higher dividend yield at 14.76%, compared with 2.69% for XLU.

What is the main difference between XLU and XLUI?

Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLU and 0.35% for XLUI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLUI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.70 vs 0.42), 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.