XPH vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XPH (SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XPH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S&P Pharmaceuticals Select Industry Index, while XLK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XPH returned 3.44%/yr vs 25.84%/yr for XLK. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XPH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

XPH vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) 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, XPH achieves a 0.66% return, which is significantly lower than XLK's 36.47% return. Over the past 10 years, XPH has underperformed XLK with an annualized return of 3.44%, while XLK has yielded a comparatively higher 25.84% annualized return.

XPH

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: -4.74%
• YTD: 0.66%
• 6M: 4.44%
• 1Y: 37.98%
• 3Y*: 13.07%
• 5Y*: 3.50%
• 10Y*: 3.44%

XLK

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 21.09%
• YTD: 36.47%
• 6M: 35.71%
• 1Y: 66.93%
• 3Y*: 33.90%
• 5Y*: 23.83%
• 10Y*: 25.84%

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

XPH vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XPH SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF	0.66%	31.60%	4.94%	2.97%	-9.83%	-10.54%	14.68%	25.61%	-15.32%	12.05%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	36.47%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between XPH and XLK is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2006	0.55

Over the past year, the correlation between XPH and XLK has dropped to 0.34 - well below their long-term average of 0.55, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XPH vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XPH	XLK
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.2%
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	99.7%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XPH vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

XPH

XPH Risk / Return Rank: 55
XPH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
XPH Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
XPH Omega Ratio Rank: 46
XPH Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
XPH Martin Ratio Rank: 63

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 83
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
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.

XPH vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) 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.

	XPH	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	3.24	-1.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	3.92	-1.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.52	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	4.22	-1.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.37	14.16	-2.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XPH vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPH Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is lower than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 3.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPH 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

	XPH	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77	3.24	-1.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.96	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16	1.06	-0.90
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.42	-0.03

Drawdowns

XPH vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPH drawdown since its inception was -48.03%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPH and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPH	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.03%	-82.05%	+34.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.97%	-15.92%	+3.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.57%	-25.66%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.63%	-33.56%	+1.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.97%	-33.56%	-2.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.22%	-1.00%	-6.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.25%	-34.96%	+17.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.35%	4.74%	-1.39%

Volatility

XPH vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) have volatilities of 7.03% and 6.98%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XPH	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.03%	6.98%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.77%	16.68%	+0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.52%	20.82%	+0.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.84%	24.90%	-4.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.10%	24.49%	-2.39%

XPH vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XPH vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

XPH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.66%, more than XLK's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.39%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%
XPH SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF	0.66%	0.83%	1.58%	1.28%	1.64%	0.95%	0.47%	0.64%	0.65%	0.67%	0.63%	7.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XPH and XLK in my portfolio?

XPH and XLK have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XPH or XLK?

XPH has higher volatility (7.03%) compared to XLK (6.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XPH dropped -48.03% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, XPH or XLK?

On 10-year performance, XLK leads with 25.84% vs 3.44% for XPH. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XPH or XLK?

Over the 10-year period, XLK has performed better with a 25.84% return vs 3.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XPH or XLK?

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

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

XPH has the higher dividend yield at 0.66%, compared with 0.39% for XLK.

What is the main difference between XPH and XLK?

XPH is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while XLK is Technology Equities. XPH tracks S&P Pharmaceuticals Select Industry Index, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XPH and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.24 vs 1.77), 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.