XOP vs. XLEI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XOP (SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF) and XLEI (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both Energy Equities funds from State Street - XOP tracks the S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry while XLEI tracks the S&P Energy Select Sector. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, XOP returned 46.74% vs 35.36% for XLEI. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.

Performance

XOP vs. XLEI - 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 State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XOP achieves a 41.76% return, which is significantly higher than XLEI's 24.56% return.

XOP

• 1D: 1.45%
• 1M: 14.72%
• 6M: 27.63%
• YTD: 41.76%
• 1Y: 46.74%
• 3Y*: 10.13%
• 5Y*: 19.29%
• 10Y*: 5.00%
• ALL TIME*: 2.68%

XLEI

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 10.90%
• 6M: 15.89%
• YTD: 24.56%
• 1Y: 35.36%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 32.17%

*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)
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$1.55M	$1.39M	$1.31M
XOP SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF	$553.31M	$544.38M	$598.08M

XOP vs. XLEI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XOP SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF	41.76%	-2.83%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	24.56%	6.17%

Correlation

The correlation between XOP and XLEI 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.85

The correlation between XOP and XLEI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

XOP vs. XLEI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XOP	XLEI
Energy	95.1%	100.0%
Basic Materials	4.3%	-
Industrials	2.2%	-
Technology	0.6%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	102.5%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XOP vs. XLEI — Risk / Return Rank

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

XOP

XOP Risk / Return Rank: 58
XOP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
XOP Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
XOP Omega Ratio Rank: 56
XOP Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
XOP Martin Ratio Rank: 48

XLEI

XLEI Risk / Return Rank: 89
XLEI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
XLEI Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
XLEI Omega Ratio Rank: 89
XLEI Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
XLEI Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

XOP vs. XLEI - 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 State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). 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.

	XOP	XLEI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	2.40	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.96	3.00	-1.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.41	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.26	4.11	-1.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.48	12.37	-6.89

XOP vs. XLEI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XOP Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is lower than the XLEI Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XOP and XLEI, 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

XOP vs. XLEI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XOP drawdown since its inception was -90.27%, which is greater than XLEI's maximum drawdown of -8.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XOP and XLEI.

Drawdown Indicators

	XOP	XLEI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.27%	-8.19%	-82.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.50%	-8.19%	-10.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.98%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.98%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-82.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.74%	0.00%	-33.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-42.56%	-1.84%	-40.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.67%	2.74%	+4.93%

Volatility

XOP vs. XLEI - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP) has a higher volatility of 8.28% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI) at 3.96%. This indicates that XOP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLEI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XOP	XLEI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.28%	3.96%	+4.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.52%	11.26%	+11.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.49%	14.03%	+14.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.53%	14.02%	+19.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.15%	14.02%	+26.13%

XOP vs. XLEI - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both XOP and XLEI have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

Dividends

XOP vs. XLEI - Dividend Comparison

XOP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, less than XLEI's 18.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	18.37%	10.17%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XOP SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF	1.83%	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 XLEI in my portfolio?

XOP and XLEI 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, XOP or XLEI?

XOP has higher volatility (8.28%) compared to XLEI (3.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XOP dropped -90.27% vs XLEI's -8.19%.

Which ETF is better, XOP or XLEI?

On 1-year performance, XOP leads with 46.74% vs 35.36% for XLEI. Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. On volatility, XLEI has been the lower-risk option at 3.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XOP or XLEI?

Over the 1-year period, XOP has performed better with a 46.74% return vs 35.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XOP or XLEI?

XOP and XLEI have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.

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

XLEI has the higher dividend yield at 18.37%, compared with 1.83% for XOP.

What is the main difference between XOP and XLEI?

XOP tracks S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry, while XLEI tracks S&P Energy Select Sector.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLEI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 1.47), 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.