XTL vs. IYZ
XTL (SPDR S&P Telecom ETF) and IYZ (iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF) are both Communications Equities funds - XTL tracks the S&P Telecom Select Industry Index while IYZ tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XTL returned 15.75%/yr vs 5.34%/yr for IYZ. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XTL charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for IYZ.
Performance
XTL vs. IYZ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XTL achieves a 43.56% return, which is significantly higher than IYZ's 24.80% return. Over the past 10 years, XTL has outperformed IYZ with an annualized return of 15.75%, while IYZ has yielded a comparatively lower 5.34% annualized return.
XTL
- 1D
- -1.32%
- 1M
- -6.26%
- YTD
- 43.56%
- 6M
- 40.96%
- 1Y
- 97.96%
- 3Y*
- 45.52%
- 5Y*
- 17.33%
- 10Y*
- 15.75%
IYZ
- 1D
- 0.33%
- 1M
- -5.71%
- YTD
- 24.80%
- 6M
- 24.25%
- 1Y
- 49.71%
- 3Y*
- 28.60%
- 5Y*
- 7.05%
- 10Y*
- 5.34%
XTL vs. IYZ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | 43.56% | 44.95% | 34.89% | -1.17% | -19.18% | 21.58% | 22.46% | 12.51% | -6.60% | 0.56% |
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 24.80% | 29.28% | 20.53% | 3.90% | -30.29% | 11.69% | 4.13% | 16.14% | -8.59% | -11.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between XTL and IYZ is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.83 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 27, 2011 | 0.77 |
The correlation between XTL and IYZ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
XTL vs. IYZ — Risk / Return Rank
XTL
IYZ
XTL vs. IYZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) and iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| XTL | IYZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.60 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.21 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.49 | 1.47 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.70 | 5.46 | +1.24 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 25.85 | 20.02 | +5.83 |
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Drawdowns
XTL vs. IYZ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XTL drawdown since its inception was -37.01%, smaller than the maximum IYZ drawdown of -77.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XTL and IYZ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XTL | IYZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -37.01% | -77.11% | +40.10% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.70% | -9.15% | -5.55% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.79% | -13.85% | -8.94% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.01% | -39.74% | +2.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.01% | -39.74% | +2.73% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.48% | -8.27% | -3.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.76% | -40.07% | +30.31% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.80% | 2.49% | +1.31% |
Volatility
XTL vs. IYZ - Volatility Comparison
SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) has a higher volatility of 11.31% compared to iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) at 7.67%. This indicates that XTL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IYZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| XTL | IYZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.31% | 7.67% | +3.64% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.63% | 15.53% | +8.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.22% | 18.76% | +11.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.38% | 18.90% | +6.48% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.66% | 19.28% | +4.38% |
XTL vs. IYZ - Expense Ratio Comparison
XTL has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than IYZ's 0.42% expense ratio.
Dividends
XTL vs. IYZ - Dividend Comparison
XTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, less than IYZ's 1.67% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 1.67% | 2.04% | 1.94% | 2.27% | 2.55% | 2.51% | 2.60% | 2.36% | 2.15% | 3.54% | 2.27% | 1.98% |
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | 1.22% | 1.05% | 0.62% | 0.80% | 0.74% | 1.25% | 0.88% | 0.92% | 1.90% | 2.08% | 1.11% | 1.38% |
Frequently Asked Questions
XTL and IYZ have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XTL has higher volatility (11.31%) compared to IYZ (7.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XTL dropped -37.01% vs IYZ's -77.11%.
On 10-year performance, XTL leads with 15.75% vs 5.34% for IYZ. On fees, XTL is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, IYZ has been the lower-risk option at 7.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, XTL has performed better with a 15.75% return vs 5.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XTL is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IYZ.
IYZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.67%, compared with 1.22% for XTL.
XTL tracks S&P Telecom Select Industry Index, while IYZ tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XTL and 0.42% for IYZ.
XTL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.27 vs 2.67), 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.
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