XPH vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XPH (SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities 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 XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XPH returned 3.44%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XPH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

XPH vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) 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, XPH achieves a 0.66% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, XPH has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 3.44%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.15% 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%

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)

XPH vs. XLU - 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%
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 XPH and XLU is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2006	0.33

Over the past year, the correlation between XPH and XLU has dropped to 0.13 - well below their long-term average of 0.33, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XPH vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

XPH vs. XLU — 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

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.

XPH vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	XPH	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	0.63	+1.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	0.94	+1.57
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.12	+0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	1.00	+2.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.37	2.24	+9.14
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. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPH Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPH 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

	XPH	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77	0.63	+1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.54	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16	0.48	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.40	-0.01

Drawdowns

XPH vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPH drawdown since its inception was -48.03%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPH and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPH	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.03%	-51.98%	+3.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.97%	-9.18%	-2.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.57%	-17.26%	-6.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.63%	-25.26%	-6.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.97%	-36.07%	+0.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.22%	-7.78%	+0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.25%	-10.22%	-7.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.35%	4.09%	-0.74%

Volatility

XPH vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) has a higher volatility of 7.03% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.41%. This indicates that XPH'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

	XPH	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.03%	5.41%	+1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.77%	11.53%	+5.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.52%	14.57%	+6.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.84%	17.32%	+3.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.10%	19.26%	+2.84%

XPH vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XPH vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

XPH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.66%, 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%
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 XLU in my portfolio?

XPH and XLU have a correlation of 0.13, 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 XLU?

XPH has higher volatility (7.03%) compared to XLU (5.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XPH dropped -48.03% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, XPH or XLU?

On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 9.15% vs 3.44% for XPH. 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, XPH or XLU?

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

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

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 0.66% for XPH.

What is the main difference between XPH and XLU?

XPH is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. XPH tracks S&P Pharmaceuticals Select Industry Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XPH and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XPH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 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.