XLV vs. XLC

Last updated Jul 22, 2026

XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) and XLC (Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - XLV is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Health Care Select Sector Index, while XLC is a Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XLV returned 5.98%/yr vs 7.29%/yr for XLC. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLV charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLC.

Performance

XLV vs. XLC - 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 Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLV achieves a 4.40% return, which is significantly higher than XLC's -5.99% return.

XLV

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 7.74%
• 6M: 4.00%
• YTD: 4.40%
• 1Y: 24.38%
• 3Y*: 7.34%
• 5Y*: 5.98%
• 10Y*: 9.71%
• ALL TIME*: 8.58%

XLC

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 0.79%
• 6M: -2.47%
• YTD: -5.99%
• 1Y: 3.53%
• 3Y*: 20.18%
• 5Y*: 7.29%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.40%

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

XLV vs. XLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	4.40%	14.50%	2.47%	2.07%	-2.08%	26.04%	13.30%	20.45%	3.07%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	-5.99%	23.08%	34.71%	52.82%	-37.63%	15.96%	26.90%	31.05%	-16.45%

Correlation

The correlation between XLV and XLC is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2018	0.50

Over the past year, the correlation between XLV and XLC has dropped to 0.27 - well below their long-term average of 0.50, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XLV vs. XLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLV	XLC
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	91.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	8.7%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XLV vs. XLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLV

XLV Risk / Return Rank: 61
XLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
XLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
XLV Omega Ratio Rank: 59
XLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
XLV Martin Ratio Rank: 46

XLC

XLC Risk / Return Rank: 15
XLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
XLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
XLC Omega Ratio Rank: 14
XLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLC Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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. XLC - 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 Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). 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	XLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	0.26	+1.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	0.46	+1.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.05	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	0.31	+2.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.52	0.84	+4.68

XLV vs. XLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is higher than the XLC Sharpe Ratio of 0.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLV and XLC, 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. XLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLV drawdown since its inception was -39.17%, smaller than the maximum XLC drawdown of -46.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLV and XLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLV	XLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.17%	-46.65%	+7.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.47%	-11.57%	+1.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.11%	-17.97%	+0.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.11%	-46.65%	+29.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.40%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.55%	-7.84%	+5.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.10%	-10.55%	+3.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.42%	4.22%	+0.20%

Volatility

XLV vs. XLC - Volatility Comparison

State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) has a higher volatility of 6.24% compared to Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) at 5.32%. This indicates that XLV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLV	XLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.24%	5.32%	+0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.90%	11.11%	+0.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.84%	13.95%	+1.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.99%	20.79%	-5.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.63%	22.13%	-5.50%

XLV vs. XLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLV has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than XLC's 0.13% 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. XLC - Dividend Comparison

XLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.58%, more than XLC's 1.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.30%	1.13%	0.99%	0.82%	1.10%	0.74%	0.68%	0.82%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.58%	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 XLC in my portfolio?

XLV and XLC have a correlation of 0.27, 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 XLC?

XLV has higher volatility (6.24%) compared to XLC (5.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLV dropped -39.17% vs XLC's -46.65%.

Which ETF is better, XLV or XLC?

On 5-year performance, XLC leads with 7.29% vs 5.98% for XLV. On fees, XLV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLC has been the lower-risk option at 5.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLV or XLC?

Over the 5-year period, XLC has performed better with a 7.29% return vs 5.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLV or XLC?

XLV is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for XLC.

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

XLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 1.30% for XLC.

What is the main difference between XLV and XLC?

XLV is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while XLC is Communications Equities. XLV tracks Health Care Select Sector Index, while XLC tracks S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLV and 0.13% for XLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 0.26), 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.