XLV vs. GSKH

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) and GSKH (GSK plc ADRhedged ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - XLV tracks the Health Care Select Sector Index while GSKH tracks the GSK plc Local Shares Total Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, XLV returned 18.26% vs 43.24% for GSKH. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLV charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for GSKH.

Performance

XLV vs. GSKH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) and GSK plc ADRhedged ETF (GSKH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLV achieves a 1.39% return, which is significantly lower than GSKH's 9.31% return.

XLV

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: 5.26%
• YTD: 1.39%
• 6M: 0.74%
• 1Y: 18.26%
• 3Y*: 7.63%
• 5Y*: 6.07%
• 10Y*: 10.40%

GSKH

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 2.24%
• YTD: 9.31%
• 6M: 9.50%
• 1Y: 43.24%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XLV vs. GSKH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.39%	13.31%
GSKH GSK plc ADRhedged ETF	9.31%	36.51%

Correlation

The correlation between XLV and GSKH is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2025	0.57

The correlation between XLV and GSKH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XLV vs. GSKH — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLV

XLV Risk / Return Rank: 37
XLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
XLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
XLV Omega Ratio Rank: 35
XLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
XLV Martin Ratio Rank: 31

GSKH

GSKH Risk / Return Rank: 52
GSKH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
GSKH Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
GSKH Omega Ratio Rank: 55
GSKH Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
GSKH Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

XLV vs. GSKH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) and GSK plc ADRhedged ETF (GSKH). 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.

	XLV	GSKH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	1.66	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	2.45	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.31	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	2.34	-0.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.13	6.07	-1.94

XLV vs. GSKH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is comparable to the GSKH Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLV and GSKH, 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

XLV vs. GSKH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLV drawdown since its inception was -39.17%, which is greater than GSKH's maximum drawdown of -18.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLV and GSKH.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLV	GSKH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.17%	-18.54%	-20.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.47%	-18.54%	+8.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.11%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.11%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.40%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.02%	-12.10%	+10.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.11%	-5.90%	-1.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.43%	7.15%	-2.72%

Volatility

XLV vs. GSKH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is 5.25%, while GSK plc ADRhedged ETF (GSKH) has a volatility of 7.07%. This indicates that XLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GSKH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLV	GSKH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.25%	7.07%	-1.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.76%	18.72%	-7.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.13%	26.18%	-11.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.79%	26.91%	-12.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.57%	26.91%	-10.34%

XLV vs. GSKH - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLV has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than GSKH's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XLV vs. GSKH - Dividend Comparison

XLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.63%, less than GSKH's 2.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GSKH GSK plc ADRhedged ETF	2.84%	1.15%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.63%	1.60%	1.67%	1.59%	1.47%	1.33%	1.49%	2.17%	1.57%	1.47%	1.60%	1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLV and GSKH in my portfolio?

XLV and GSKH have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLV or GSKH?

GSKH has higher volatility (7.07%) compared to XLV (5.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLV dropped -39.17% vs GSKH's -18.54%.

Which ETF is better, XLV or GSKH?

On 1-year performance, GSKH leads with 43.24% vs 18.26% for XLV. On fees, XLV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLV has been the lower-risk option at 5.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLV or GSKH?

Over the 1-year period, GSKH has performed better with a 43.24% return vs 18.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLV or GSKH?

XLV is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for GSKH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLV or GSKH?

GSKH has the higher dividend yield at 2.84%, compared with 1.63% for XLV.

What is the main difference between XLV and GSKH?

XLV tracks Health Care Select Sector Index, while GSKH tracks GSK plc Local Shares Total Return. They also come from different issuers: State Street and ADRhedged. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLV and 0.19% for GSKH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GSKH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.21), 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.