XPL vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

XPL (Solitario Zinc Corp.) is a stock, while XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, XPL returned 5.82%/yr vs 9.19%/yr for XLU. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

XPL vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Solitario Zinc Corp. (XPL) 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, XPL achieves a 21.27% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.55% return. Over the past 10 years, XPL has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 5.82%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.19% annualized return.

XPL

• 1D: 1.44%
• 1M: 1.81%
• YTD: 21.27%
• 6M: 34.77%
• 1Y: 29.20%
• 3Y*: 12.72%
• 5Y*: 3.54%
• 10Y*: 5.82%

XLU

• 1D: 1.86%
• 1M: -5.69%
• YTD: 3.55%
• 6M: 1.36%
• 1Y: 9.88%
• 3Y*: 13.91%
• 5Y*: 9.31%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

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

XPL vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XPL Solitario Zinc Corp.	21.27%	17.21%	6.14%	-9.68%	24.04%	-11.10%	87.37%	29.19%	-61.45%	-2.81%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.55%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between XPL and XLU is 0.00, 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	0.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.07
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 2006	0.06

Return for Risk

XPL vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

XPL

XPL Risk / Return Rank: 58
XPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
XPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
XPL Omega Ratio Rank: 54
XPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
XPL Martin Ratio Rank: 61

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 21
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

XPL vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Solitario Zinc Corp. (XPL) 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.

	XPL	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.52	0.68	-0.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.14	1.01	+0.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.13	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.93	1.11	-0.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.29	2.52	-0.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XPL vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPL Sharpe Ratio is 0.52, which is comparable to the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPL 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

	XPL	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52	0.68	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	0.54	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09	0.48	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.10	0.40	-0.50

Drawdowns

XPL vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPL drawdown since its inception was -97.46%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPL and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPL	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.46%	-51.98%	-45.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-34.41%	-9.18%	-25.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.29%	-17.26%	-25.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-51.13%	-25.26%	-25.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-83.21%	-36.07%	-47.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-85.94%	-7.38%	-78.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-75.90%	-10.22%	-65.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.00%	4.07%	+9.93%

Volatility

XPL vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

Solitario Zinc Corp. (XPL) has a higher volatility of 10.21% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.41%. This indicates that XPL'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

	XPL	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.21%	5.41%	+4.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.24%	11.76%	+23.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	56.89%	14.56%	+42.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	54.73%	17.32%	+37.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	65.95%	19.26%	+46.69%

Dividends

XPL vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

XPL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.71%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.71%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%
XPL Solitario Zinc Corp.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XPL and XLU in my portfolio?

XPL and XLU have a correlation of 0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XPL or XLU?

XPL has higher volatility (10.21%) compared to XLU (5.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XPL dropped -97.46% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.68 vs 0.52), 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.