XNTK vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XNTK (SPDR NYSE Technology ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Technology Equities funds from State Street - XNTK tracks the NYSE Technology Index while XLK tracks the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XNTK returned 25.57%/yr vs 25.62%/yr for XLK. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XNTK charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

XNTK vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR NYSE Technology ETF (XNTK) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XNTK achieves a 37.92% return, which is significantly higher than XLK's 34.34% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with XNTK having a 25.57% annualized return and XLK not far ahead at 25.62%.

XNTK

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 18.67%
• YTD: 37.92%
• 6M: 36.17%
• 1Y: 73.92%
• 3Y*: 42.75%
• 5Y*: 21.11%
• 10Y*: 25.57%

XLK

• 1D: -1.56%
• 1M: 16.63%
• YTD: 34.34%
• 6M: 33.10%
• 1Y: 64.08%
• 3Y*: 33.46%
• 5Y*: 23.44%
• 10Y*: 25.62%

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

XNTK vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XNTK SPDR NYSE Technology ETF	37.92%	38.06%	23.49%	70.13%	-41.07%	17.63%	73.91%	38.08%	-7.13%	40.37%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	34.34%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between XNTK and XLK is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2001	0.89

The correlation between XNTK and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

XNTK vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XNTK	XLK
Technology	80.9%	99.7%
Communication Services	9.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.2%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XNTK vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

XNTK

XNTK Risk / Return Rank: 84
XNTK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XNTK Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
XNTK Omega Ratio Rank: 84
XNTK Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
XNTK Martin Ratio Rank: 77

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 82
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

XNTK vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR NYSE Technology ETF (XNTK) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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.

	XNTK	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.19	3.09	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.80	3.77	+0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.49	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.37	4.04	+0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.56	13.55	+1.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XNTK vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XNTK Sharpe Ratio is 3.19, which is comparable to the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 3.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XNTK and XLK, 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

	XNTK	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.19	3.09	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.95	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96	1.05	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.41	+0.03

Drawdowns

XNTK vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XNTK drawdown since its inception was -72.38%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XNTK and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	XNTK	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-72.38%	-82.05%	+9.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.00%	-15.92%	-1.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.11%	-25.66%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.28%	-33.56%	-14.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.28%	-33.56%	-14.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.07%	-2.54%	+1.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.30%	-34.95%	+13.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.09%	4.74%	+0.35%

Volatility

XNTK vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

SPDR NYSE Technology ETF (XNTK) has a higher volatility of 7.65% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 7.27%. This indicates that XNTK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XNTK	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.65%	7.27%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.06%	16.76%	+1.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.31%	20.86%	+2.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.90%	24.90%	+3.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.63%	24.49%	+2.14%

XNTK vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

XNTK has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

XNTK vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

XNTK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%, less than XLK's 0.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.40%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%
XNTK SPDR NYSE Technology ETF	0.17%	0.23%	0.42%	0.34%	0.85%	0.34%	0.30%	0.61%	29.64%	1.29%	0.81%	0.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XNTK and XLK in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, XNTK and XLK 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, XNTK or XLK?

XNTK has higher volatility (7.65%) compared to XLK (7.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XNTK dropped -72.38% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, XNTK or XLK?

On 10-year performance, XLK leads with 25.62% vs 25.57% for XNTK. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLK has been the lower-risk option at 7.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XNTK or XLK?

Over the 10-year period, XLK has performed better with a 25.62% return vs 25.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XNTK or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XNTK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XNTK or XLK?

XLK has the higher dividend yield at 0.40%, compared with 0.17% for XNTK.

What is the main difference between XNTK and XLK?

XNTK tracks NYSE Technology Index, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XNTK and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XNTK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.19 vs 3.09), 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.