XOP vs. PBW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XOP (SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF) and PBW (Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XOP is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry, while PBW is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the The WilderHill Clean Energy Index (AMEX). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XOP returned 3.80%/yr vs 11.06%/yr for PBW. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XOP charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for PBW.

Performance

XOP vs. PBW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP) and Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF (PBW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XOP achieves a 36.08% return, which is significantly lower than PBW's 48.64% return. Over the past 10 years, XOP has underperformed PBW with an annualized return of 3.80%, while PBW has yielded a comparatively higher 11.06% annualized return.

XOP

• 1D: 1.35%
• 1M: -5.46%
• YTD: 36.08%
• 6M: 26.81%
• 1Y: 41.73%
• 3Y*: 14.10%
• 5Y*: 14.86%
• 10Y*: 3.80%

PBW

• 1D: -3.49%
• 1M: 18.16%
• YTD: 48.64%
• 6M: 46.91%
• 1Y: 151.19%
• 3Y*: 8.19%
• 5Y*: -10.05%
• 10Y*: 11.06%

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

XOP vs. PBW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XOP SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF	36.08%	-2.15%	-1.00%	3.56%	45.37%	66.74%	-36.40%	-9.44%	-28.10%	-9.47%
PBW Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF	48.64%	53.96%	-30.77%	-20.03%	-44.55%	-29.86%	204.82%	62.58%	-14.11%	39.92%

Correlation

The correlation between XOP and PBW is 0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2006	0.52

Over the past year, the correlation between XOP and PBW has dropped to 0.06 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XOP vs. PBW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XOP	PBW
Energy	97.2%	12.3%
Basic Materials	2.9%	16.4%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	13.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.1%
Financial Services	-	1.4%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	34.3%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	14.3%
Utilities	-	6.3%

Return for Risk

XOP vs. PBW — Risk / Return Rank

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

XOP

XOP Risk / Return Rank: 43
XOP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
XOP Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
XOP Omega Ratio Rank: 37
XOP Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
XOP Martin Ratio Rank: 43

PBW

PBW Risk / Return Rank: 88
PBW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
PBW Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
PBW Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PBW Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
PBW Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

XOP vs. PBW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP) and Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF (PBW). 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.

	XOP	PBW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	3.77	-2.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.00	3.92	-1.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.48	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	7.16	-4.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.10	19.88	-12.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XOP vs. PBW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XOP Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is lower than the PBW Sharpe Ratio of 3.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XOP and PBW, 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

	XOP	PBW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51	3.77	-2.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	-0.24	+0.68
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09	0.29	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.06	-0.03	+0.09

Drawdowns

XOP vs. PBW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XOP drawdown since its inception was -90.27%, roughly equal to the maximum PBW drawdown of -89.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XOP and PBW.

Drawdown Indicators

	XOP	PBW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.27%	-89.02%	-1.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.14%	-21.24%	+6.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.98%	-68.04%	+33.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.98%	-84.50%	+49.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-82.61%	-89.02%	+6.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-36.40%	-62.54%	+26.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-42.59%	-62.91%	+20.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.90%	7.64%	-1.74%

Volatility

XOP vs. PBW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP) is 10.03%, while Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF (PBW) has a volatility of 13.35%. This indicates that XOP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PBW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XOP	PBW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.03%	13.35%	-3.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.64%	28.20%	-6.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.81%	40.48%	-12.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.88%	42.91%	-9.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.28%	38.76%	+1.52%

XOP vs. PBW - Expense Ratio Comparison

XOP has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than PBW's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

XOP vs. PBW - Dividend Comparison

XOP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.90%, more than PBW's 0.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PBW Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF	0.60%	0.79%	2.84%	3.68%	4.21%	1.71%	0.44%	1.45%	2.04%	1.28%	2.68%	1.53%
XOP SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF	1.90%	2.62%	2.45%	2.63%	2.47%	1.61%	2.34%	1.47%	0.99%	0.76%	0.76%	2.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XOP and PBW in my portfolio?

XOP and PBW have a correlation of 0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XOP or PBW?

PBW has higher volatility (13.35%) compared to XOP (10.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XOP dropped -90.27% vs PBW's -89.02%.

Which ETF is better, XOP or PBW?

On 10-year performance, PBW leads with 11.06% vs 3.80% for XOP. On fees, XOP is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XOP has been the lower-risk option at 10.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XOP or PBW?

Over the 10-year period, PBW has performed better with a 11.06% return vs 3.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XOP or PBW?

XOP is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for PBW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XOP or PBW?

XOP has the higher dividend yield at 1.90%, compared with 0.60% for PBW.

What is the main difference between XOP and PBW?

XOP is categorized as Energy Equities, while PBW is Small Cap Growth Equities. XOP tracks S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry, while PBW tracks The WilderHill Clean Energy Index (AMEX). They also come from different issuers: State Street and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XOP and 0.61% for PBW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.77 vs 1.51), 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.