XLUI vs. XLU

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XLUI (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds from State Street. XLUI is actively managed, while XLU is passively managed. Over the past year, XLUI returned 8.36% vs 6.26% for XLU. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. XLUI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

XLUI vs. XLU - 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 Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLUI achieves a 8.22% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 5.28% return.

XLUI

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: -1.79%
• 6M: 6.47%
• YTD: 8.22%
• 1Y: 8.36%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.49%

XLU

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: -3.08%
• 6M: 3.92%
• YTD: 5.28%
• 1Y: 6.26%
• 3Y*: 13.58%
• 5Y*: 9.34%
• 10Y*: 8.92%
• ALL TIME*: 7.66%

*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	$827.32M	$819.54M	$911.53M
XLUI State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$811.48K	$735.97K	$652.13K

XLUI vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLUI State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	8.22%	0.27%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	5.28%	2.39%

Correlation

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

XLUI vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

XLUI vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLUI

XLUI Risk / Return Rank: 33
XLUI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
XLUI Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
XLUI Omega Ratio Rank: 29
XLUI Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
XLUI Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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

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.

XLUI vs. XLU - 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 Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.75	0.43	+0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.06	0.69	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.08	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.42	0.70	+0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.39	1.44	+1.95

XLUI vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLUI Sharpe Ratio is 0.75, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLUI and XLU, 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

XLUI vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	XLUI	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.01%	-51.98%	+45.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.01%	-9.18%	+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	-3.64%	-5.83%	+2.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.87%	-10.19%	+8.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	4.48%	-1.97%

Volatility

XLUI vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLUI) is 3.81%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 4.59%. This indicates that XLUI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLUI	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.81%	4.59%	-0.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.94%	12.01%	-3.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.32%	15.00%	-3.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.30%	17.34%	-6.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.30%	19.30%	-8.00%

XLUI vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XLUI vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

XLUI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.00%, more than XLU's 2.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.70%	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	14.00%	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 XLU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, XLUI and XLU 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, XLUI or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to XLUI (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLUI dropped -6.01% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, XLUI or XLU?

On 1-year performance, XLUI leads with 8.36% vs 6.26% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLUI has been the lower-risk option at 3.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLUI or XLU?

Over the 1-year period, XLUI has performed better with a 8.36% return vs 6.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLUI or XLU?

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

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

XLUI has the higher dividend yield at 14.00%, compared with 2.70% for XLU.

What is the main difference between XLUI and XLU?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLUI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.75 vs 0.43), 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.