XRT vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XRT (SPDR S&P Retail ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XRT is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the S&P Retail Select Industry, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XRT returned 8.56%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XRT charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

XRT vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) 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, XRT achieves a -1.99% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, XRT has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 8.56%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.15% annualized return.

XRT

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: -0.29%
• YTD: -1.99%
• 6M: -2.00%
• 1Y: 8.44%
• 3Y*: 13.38%
• 5Y*: -0.84%
• 10Y*: 8.56%

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)

XRT vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XRT SPDR S&P Retail ETF	-1.99%	8.07%	11.78%	21.53%	-31.64%	42.60%	41.91%	14.12%	-8.04%	4.22%
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 XRT and XLU is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2006	0.32

The correlation between XRT and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.19 (1 year) to 0.32 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XRT vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XRT	XLU
Consumer Cyclical	73.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	20.9%	-
Communication Services	1.4%	-
Healthcare	1.4%	-
Technology	1.4%	-
Energy	1.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

XRT vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

XRT

XRT Risk / Return Rank: 15
XRT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
XRT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
XRT Omega Ratio Rank: 14
XRT Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
XRT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

XRT vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	XRT	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	0.63	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.76	0.94	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.12	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.63	1.00	-0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.45	2.24	-0.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XRT vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XRT Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XRT 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

	XRT	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42	0.63	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.03	0.54	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32	0.48	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.40	-0.05

Drawdowns

XRT vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XRT drawdown since its inception was -65.81%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XRT and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	XRT	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.81%	-51.98%	-13.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.53%	-9.18%	-4.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.62%	-17.26%	-8.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.57%	-25.26%	-19.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.02%	-36.07%	-10.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.82%	-7.78%	-6.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.00%	-10.22%	-4.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.85%	4.09%	+1.76%

Volatility

XRT vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) has a higher volatility of 6.50% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.41%. This indicates that XRT'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

	XRT	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.50%	5.41%	+1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.63%	11.53%	+2.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.42%	14.57%	+5.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.90%	17.32%	+9.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.16%	19.26%	+7.90%

XRT vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XRT vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

XRT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, 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%
XRT SPDR S&P Retail ETF	0.83%	0.77%	1.52%	1.40%	2.15%	1.55%	1.01%	1.57%	1.51%	1.52%	1.36%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XRT and XLU in my portfolio?

XRT and XLU have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XRT or XLU?

XRT has higher volatility (6.50%) compared to XLU (5.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XRT dropped -65.81% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, XRT or XLU?

On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 9.15% vs 8.56% for XRT. 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, XRT or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, XLU has performed better with a 9.15% return vs 8.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XRT or XLU?

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

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 0.83% for XRT.

What is the main difference between XRT and XLU?

XRT is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. XRT tracks S&P Retail Select Industry, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XRT and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.63 vs 0.42), 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.