XLV vs. PFE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Health Care Select Sector Index, while PFE (Pfizer Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, XLV returned 9.20%/yr vs 1.85%/yr for PFE. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

XLV vs. PFE - 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 Pfizer Inc. (PFE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLV achieves a -4.29% return, which is significantly lower than PFE's 5.18% return. Over the past 10 years, XLV has outperformed PFE with an annualized return of 9.20%, while PFE has yielded a comparatively lower 1.85% annualized return.

XLV

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: 1.95%
• YTD: -4.29%
• 6M: -4.06%
• 1Y: 12.89%
• 3Y*: 5.98%
• 5Y*: 5.55%
• 10Y*: 9.20%

PFE

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: -2.06%
• YTD: 5.18%
• 6M: 2.42%
• 1Y: 16.11%
• 3Y*: -7.32%
• 5Y*: -3.51%
• 10Y*: 1.85%

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

XLV vs. PFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	-4.29%	14.50%	2.47%	2.07%	-2.08%	26.04%	13.30%	20.45%	6.28%	21.77%
PFE Pfizer Inc.	5.18%	0.65%	-2.22%	-41.26%	-10.41%	66.70%	3.07%	-6.91%	24.82%	15.90%

Correlation

The correlation between XLV and PFE is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 14, 2012	0.64

The correlation between XLV and PFE shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (3 years) to 0.64 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

XLV vs. PFE — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLV

XLV Risk / Return Rank: 24
XLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
XLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
XLV Omega Ratio Rank: 23
XLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
XLV Martin Ratio Rank: 23

PFE

PFE Risk / Return Rank: 61
PFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
PFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
PFE Omega Ratio Rank: 55
PFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
PFE Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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. PFE - 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 Pfizer Inc. (PFE). 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.

	XLV	PFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.88	0.68	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.42	1.18	+0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.14	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.24	1.41	-0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.99	2.91	+0.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XLV vs. PFE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLV Sharpe Ratio is 0.88, which is higher than the PFE Sharpe Ratio of 0.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLV and PFE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XLV	PFE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88	0.68	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	-0.14	+0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.08	+0.48
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.23	+0.23

Drawdowns

XLV vs. PFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLV drawdown since its inception was -39.17%, smaller than the maximum PFE drawdown of -58.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLV and PFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLV	PFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.17%	-58.96%	+19.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.47%	-11.47%	+1.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.11%	-40.75%	+23.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.11%	-58.96%	+41.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.40%	-58.96%	+30.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.52%	-47.49%	+39.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.12%	-17.68%	+10.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.32%	5.54%	-1.22%

Volatility

XLV vs. PFE - Volatility Comparison

State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) and Pfizer Inc. (PFE) have volatilities of 4.10% and 4.07%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLV	PFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.10%	4.07%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.24%	14.64%	-4.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.67%	23.85%	-9.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.69%	25.49%	-10.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.55%	23.88%	-7.33%

Dividends

XLV vs. PFE - Dividend Comparison

XLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.70%, less than PFE's 6.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFE Pfizer Inc.	6.79%	6.91%	6.33%	5.70%	3.12%	2.64%	3.92%	3.68%	3.12%	3.53%	3.69%	3.47%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.70%	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 PFE in my portfolio?

XLV and PFE have a correlation of 0.56, 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 PFE?

XLV has higher volatility (4.10%) compared to PFE (4.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLV dropped -39.17% vs PFE's -58.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.88 vs 0.68), 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.