XOEX vs. EQL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XOEX (Xtrackers S&P 100 Ex Top 20 ETF) and EQL (ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - XOEX tracks the S&P 100 Ex-Top 20 Select Index while EQL tracks the NYSE Equal Sector Weight Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XOEX returned 16.00%/yr vs 14.59%/yr for EQL. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. XOEX charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for EQL.

Performance

XOEX vs. EQL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers S&P 100 Ex Top 20 ETF (XOEX) and ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with XOEX having a 10.64% return and EQL slightly higher at 10.71%.

XOEX

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: -1.22%
• 6M: 9.22%
• YTD: 10.64%
• 1Y: 25.33%
• 3Y*: 16.00%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.43%

EQL

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 0.31%
• 6M: 6.82%
• YTD: 10.71%
• 1Y: 18.34%
• 3Y*: 14.59%
• 5Y*: 10.63%
• 10Y*: 12.39%
• ALL TIME*: 13.49%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	$3.33M	$2.84M	$2.70M
XOEX Xtrackers S&P 100 Ex Top 20 ETF	$8.95M	$4.29M	$2.05M

XOEX vs. EQL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XOEX Xtrackers S&P 100 Ex Top 20 ETF	10.64%	18.97%	12.07%	15.99%	2.98%
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	10.71%	13.09%	16.44%	16.87%	0.78%

Correlation

The correlation between XOEX and EQL is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2022	0.91

The correlation between XOEX and EQL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

XOEX vs. EQL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XOEX	EQL
Financial Services	18.0%	9.1%
Healthcare	17.6%	9.4%
Technology	16.8%	10.2%
Industrials	14.4%	9.3%
Consumer Defensive	9.4%	8.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.7%	9.6%
Communication Services	6.5%	8.9%
Utilities	4.4%	9.4%
Energy	3.4%	8.7%
Basic Materials	1.6%	8.0%
Real Estate	1.0%	8.7%

Return for Risk

XOEX vs. EQL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

XOEX

XOEX Risk / Return Rank: 87
XOEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
XOEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
XOEX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
XOEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
XOEX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

EQL

EQL Risk / Return Rank: 79
EQL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
EQL Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
EQL Omega Ratio Rank: 78
EQL Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
EQL Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

XOEX vs. EQL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers S&P 100 Ex Top 20 ETF (XOEX) and ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL). 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.

	XOEX	EQL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	1.82	+0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	2.54	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.33	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.28	2.78	+0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.82	10.89	+1.92

XOEX vs. EQL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XOEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the EQL Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XOEX and EQL, 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

XOEX vs. EQL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XOEX drawdown since its inception was -14.68%, smaller than the maximum EQL drawdown of -35.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XOEX and EQL.

Drawdown Indicators

	XOEX	EQL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.68%	-35.65%	+20.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.31%	-6.19%	-1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.68%	-15.07%	+0.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.24%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.36%	-0.27%	-1.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.58%	-3.23%	+0.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.87%	1.58%	+0.29%

Volatility

XOEX vs. EQL - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers S&P 100 Ex Top 20 ETF (XOEX) has a higher volatility of 3.03% compared to ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) at 2.23%. This indicates that XOEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EQL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XOEX	EQL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.03%	2.23%	+0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.93%	7.03%	+1.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.43%	9.50%	+1.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.36%	14.51%	-1.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.36%	16.49%	-3.13%

XOEX vs. EQL - Expense Ratio Comparison

XOEX has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than EQL's 0.27% 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

XOEX vs. EQL - Dividend Comparison

XOEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.46%, more than EQL's 1.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	1.35%	1.73%	1.78%	1.96%	2.14%	1.69%	2.29%	1.95%	2.39%	1.97%	2.89%	2.07%
XOEX Xtrackers S&P 100 Ex Top 20 ETF	1.46%	1.95%	2.09%	1.72%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XOEX and EQL in my portfolio?

XOEX and EQL have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XOEX or EQL?

XOEX has higher volatility (3.03%) compared to EQL (2.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XOEX dropped -14.68% vs EQL's -35.65%.

Which ETF is better, XOEX or EQL?

On 3-year performance, XOEX leads with 16.00% vs 14.59% for EQL. On fees, XOEX is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, EQL has been the lower-risk option at 2.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XOEX or EQL?

Over the 3-year period, XOEX has performed better with a 16.00% return vs 14.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XOEX or EQL?

XOEX is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.27% for EQL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XOEX or EQL?

XOEX has the higher dividend yield at 1.46%, compared with 1.35% for EQL.

What is the main difference between XOEX and EQL?

XOEX tracks S&P 100 Ex-Top 20 Select Index, while EQL tracks NYSE Equal Sector Weight Index. They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for XOEX and 0.27% for EQL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XOEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.82), 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.