XSW vs. GOOG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XSW (SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF) is Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Software & Services Select Industry Index, while GOOG (Alphabet Inc) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, XSW returned 13.33%/yr vs 25.80%/yr for GOOG. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

XSW vs. GOOG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) and Alphabet Inc (GOOG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XSW achieves a -6.38% return, which is significantly lower than GOOG's 13.43% return. Over the past 10 years, XSW has underperformed GOOG with an annualized return of 13.33%, while GOOG has yielded a comparatively higher 25.80% annualized return.

XSW

• 1D: -4.18%
• 1M: 9.35%
• YTD: -6.38%
• 6M: -7.49%
• 1Y: -4.24%
• 3Y*: 11.02%
• 5Y*: 1.69%
• 10Y*: 13.33%

GOOG

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: -6.31%
• YTD: 13.43%
• 6M: 11.09%
• 1Y: 112.81%
• 3Y*: 42.00%
• 5Y*: 23.95%
• 10Y*: 25.80%

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

XSW vs. GOOG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XSW SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF	-6.38%	-0.90%	25.81%	38.60%	-34.22%	7.47%	52.41%	36.50%	7.67%	27.94%
GOOG Alphabet Inc	13.43%	65.42%	35.62%	58.83%	-38.67%	65.17%	31.03%	29.10%	-1.03%	35.58%

Correlation

The correlation between XSW and GOOG is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2014	0.56

Over the past year, the correlation between XSW and GOOG has dropped to 0.25 - well below their long-term average of 0.56, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

XSW vs. GOOG — Risk / Return Rank

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

XSW

XSW Risk / Return Rank: 7
XSW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
XSW Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
XSW Omega Ratio Rank: 7
XSW Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
XSW Martin Ratio Rank: 7

GOOG

GOOG Risk / Return Rank: 96
GOOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
GOOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
GOOG Omega Ratio Rank: 96
GOOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
GOOG Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

XSW vs. GOOG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) and Alphabet Inc (GOOG). 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.

	XSW	GOOG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.15	3.98	-4.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.01	5.35	-5.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.64	-0.65
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.13	5.47	-5.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.27	19.89	-20.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XSW vs. GOOG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSW Sharpe Ratio is -0.15, which is lower than the GOOG Sharpe Ratio of 3.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSW and GOOG, 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

	XSW	GOOG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.15	3.98	-4.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.77	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.89	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.82	-0.19

Drawdowns

XSW vs. GOOG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSW drawdown since its inception was -45.38%, roughly equal to the maximum GOOG drawdown of -44.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSW and GOOG.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSW	GOOG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.38%	-44.60%	-0.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.75%	-20.75%	-13.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.75%	-29.35%	-4.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.38%	-44.60%	-0.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.38%	-44.60%	-0.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.64%	-10.87%	-3.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.83%	-8.89%	-0.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.71%	5.69%	+10.02%

Volatility

XSW vs. GOOG - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) has a higher volatility of 10.68% compared to Alphabet Inc (GOOG) at 8.08%. This indicates that XSW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GOOG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XSW	GOOG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.68%	8.08%	+2.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.51%	20.16%	+3.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.63%	28.59%	+0.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.79%	31.10%	-2.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.25%	28.99%	-2.74%

Dividends

XSW vs. GOOG - Dividend Comparison

XSW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.04%, less than GOOG's 0.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GOOG Alphabet Inc	0.24%	0.26%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XSW SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF	0.04%	0.06%	0.07%	0.20%	0.09%	0.13%	0.26%	0.12%	0.31%	0.46%	0.87%	0.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XSW and GOOG in my portfolio?

XSW and GOOG have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XSW or GOOG?

XSW has higher volatility (10.68%) compared to GOOG (8.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XSW dropped -45.38% vs GOOG's -44.60%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GOOG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.98 vs -0.15), 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.