XLUI vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XLUI (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLUI is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by State Street, while XLF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Financial Select Sector Index. XLUI is actively managed, while XLF is passively managed. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XLUI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.

Performance

XLUI vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLUI achieves a 8.84% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -0.77% return.

XLUI

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 1.13%
• YTD: 8.84%
• 6M: 9.44%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLF

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 4.10%
• YTD: -0.77%
• 6M: -1.95%
• 1Y: 7.67%
• 3Y*: 19.94%
• 5Y*: 10.00%
• 10Y*: 13.72%

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

XLUI vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLUI State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	8.84%	0.27%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-0.77%	4.44%

Correlation

The correlation between XLUI and XLF is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.18

XLUI vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLUI	XLF
Financial Services	99.7%	98.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XLUI vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

XLUI

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 15
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 16
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

XLUI vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLUI) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (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.

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.

	XLUI	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.53	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	0.81	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.10	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	0.52	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	1.33	—

Drawdowns

XLUI vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLUI drawdown since its inception was -6.01%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLUI and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLUI	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.01%	-82.69%	+76.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-14.79%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.54%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.81%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.11%	-3.64%	+2.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.98%	-19.99%	+18.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.79%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XLUI	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.12%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	11.27%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.17%	14.62%	-3.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.17%	18.58%	-7.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.17%	22.11%	-10.94%

XLUI vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLUI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLF's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLUI vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

XLUI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.35%, more than XLF's 1.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.50%	1.31%	1.42%	1.71%	2.04%	1.63%	2.03%	1.87%	2.08%	1.48%	21.10%	1.95%
XLUI State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	12.35%	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 XLUI and XLF in my portfolio?

XLUI and XLF have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XLUI or XLF?

On fees, XLF is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLUI or XLF?

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

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

XLUI has the higher dividend yield at 12.35%, compared with 1.50% for XLF.

What is the main difference between XLUI and XLF?

XLUI is categorized as Utilities Equities, while XLF is Financials Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLUI and 0.08% for XLF.