XOP vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XOP (SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XOP is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XOP returned 3.80%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XOP charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

XOP vs. XLU - 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 Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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 higher than XLU's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, XOP has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 3.80%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.15% 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%

XLU

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: -5.74%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 9.11%
• 3Y*: 13.74%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: 9.15%

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

XOP vs. XLU - 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%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.11%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between XOP and XLU is 0.04, 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	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2006	0.27

Over the past year, the correlation between XOP and XLU has dropped to 0.04 - well below their long-term average of 0.27, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XOP vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XOP	XLU
Energy	97.2%	-
Basic Materials	2.9%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

XOP vs. XLU — 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

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 19
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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. XLU - 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 Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	0.63	+0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.00	0.94	+1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.12	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	1.00	+1.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.10	2.24	+4.86
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. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XOP Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XOP and XLU, 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	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51	0.63	+0.88
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.54	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09	0.48	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.06	0.40	-0.34

Drawdowns

XOP vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XOP drawdown since its inception was -90.27%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XOP and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	XOP	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.27%	-51.98%	-38.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.14%	-9.18%	-5.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.98%	-17.26%	-17.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.98%	-25.26%	-9.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-82.61%	-36.07%	-46.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-36.40%	-7.78%	-28.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-42.59%	-10.22%	-32.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.90%	4.09%	+1.81%

Volatility

XOP vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP) has a higher volatility of 10.03% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.41%. This indicates that XOP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XOP	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.03%	5.41%	+4.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.64%	11.53%	+10.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.81%	14.57%	+13.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.88%	17.32%	+16.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.28%	19.26%	+21.02%

XOP vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

XOP has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

XOP vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

XOP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.90%, less than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.72%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%
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 XLU in my portfolio?

XOP and XLU have a correlation of 0.04, 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 XLU?

XOP has higher volatility (10.03%) compared to XLU (5.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XOP dropped -90.27% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, XOP or XLU?

On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 9.15% vs 3.80% for XOP. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XOP or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, XLU has performed better with a 9.15% 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 XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XOP.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 1.90% for XOP.

What is the main difference between XOP and XLU?

XOP is categorized as Energy Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. XOP tracks S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XOP and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XOP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 vs 0.63), 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.