XLV vs. XHS

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) and XHS (SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds from State Street - XLV tracks the Health Care Select Sector Index while XHS tracks the S&P Health Care Services Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLV returned 10.40%/yr vs 9.38%/yr for XHS. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLV charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XHS.

Performance

XLV vs. XHS - 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 SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF (XHS). 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 XHS's 19.85% return. Over the past 10 years, XLV has outperformed XHS with an annualized return of 10.40%, while XHS has yielded a comparatively lower 9.38% annualized 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%

XHS

• 1D: 1.84%
• 1M: 12.85%
• YTD: 19.85%
• 6M: 18.26%
• 1Y: 32.28%
• 3Y*: 12.64%
• 5Y*: 2.34%
• 10Y*: 9.38%

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

XLV vs. XHS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.39%	14.50%	2.47%	2.07%	-2.08%	26.04%	13.30%	20.45%	6.28%	21.77%
XHS SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF	19.85%	18.83%	1.76%	5.15%	-19.87%	9.76%	33.66%	18.81%	1.96%	17.65%

Correlation

The correlation between XLV and XHS is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2011	0.67

The correlation between XLV and XHS shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (1 year) to 0.67 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XLV vs. XHS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLV	XHS
Healthcare	100.0%	97.9%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	2.1%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XLV vs. XHS — 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

XHS

XHS Risk / Return Rank: 59
XHS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
XHS Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
XHS Omega Ratio Rank: 60
XHS Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
XHS Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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. XHS - 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 SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF (XHS). 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	XHS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	1.80	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	2.45	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.32	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	2.70	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.13	7.49	-3.36

XLV vs. XHS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is lower than the XHS Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLV and XHS, 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. XHS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLV drawdown since its inception was -39.17%, roughly equal to the maximum XHS drawdown of -39.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLV and XHS.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLV	XHS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.17%	-39.32%	+0.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.47%	-11.99%	+1.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.11%	-17.81%	+0.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.11%	-32.62%	+15.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.40%	-39.32%	+10.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.02%	0.00%	-2.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.11%	-10.16%	+3.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.43%	4.32%	+0.11%

Volatility

XLV vs. XHS - Volatility Comparison

State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) has a higher volatility of 5.25% compared to SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF (XHS) at 4.85%. This indicates that XLV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XHS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLV	XHS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.25%	4.85%	+0.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.76%	12.49%	-1.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.13%	18.02%	-2.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.79%	21.17%	-6.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.57%	22.41%	-5.84%

XLV vs. XHS - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLV has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than XHS's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLV vs. XHS - Dividend Comparison

XLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.63%, more than XHS's 0.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XHS SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF	0.21%	0.27%	0.38%	0.23%	0.19%	0.20%	0.23%	2.37%	0.34%	0.22%	0.28%	0.93%
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 XHS in my portfolio?

XLV and XHS have a correlation of 0.53, 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 XHS?

XLV has higher volatility (5.25%) compared to XHS (4.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLV dropped -39.17% vs XHS's -39.32%.

Which ETF is better, XLV or XHS?

On 10-year performance, XLV leads with 10.40% vs 9.38% for XHS. On fees, XLV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XHS has been the lower-risk option at 4.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLV or XHS?

Over the 10-year period, XLV has performed better with a 10.40% return vs 9.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLV or XHS?

XLV is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XHS.

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

XLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.63%, compared with 0.21% for XHS.

What is the main difference between XLV and XHS?

XLV tracks Health Care Select Sector Index, while XHS tracks S&P Health Care Services Select Industry Index. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLV and 0.35% for XHS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XHS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 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.