XTL vs. SGOV
XTL (SPDR S&P Telecom ETF) and SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XTL is a Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Telecom Select Industry Index, while SGOV is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XTL returned 19.06%/yr vs 3.56%/yr for SGOV. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. XTL charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SGOV.
Performance
XTL vs. SGOV - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XTL achieves a 51.46% return, which is significantly higher than SGOV's 1.63% return.
XTL
- 1D
- 0.12%
- 1M
- 2.37%
- YTD
- 51.46%
- 6M
- 55.42%
- 1Y
- 120.69%
- 3Y*
- 45.66%
- 5Y*
- 19.06%
- 10Y*
- 16.10%
SGOV
- 1D
- 0.02%
- 1M
- 0.28%
- YTD
- 1.63%
- 6M
- 1.80%
- 1Y
- 3.93%
- 3Y*
- 4.69%
- 5Y*
- 3.56%
- 10Y*
- —
XTL vs. SGOV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | 51.46% | 44.95% | 34.89% | -1.17% | -19.18% | 21.58% | 22.28% |
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | 1.63% | 4.24% | 5.27% | 5.12% | 1.58% | 0.04% | 0.04% |
Correlation
The correlation between XTL and SGOV is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.13 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.06 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 28, 2020 | -0.02 |
The correlation between XTL and SGOV shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to -0.02 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
XTL vs. SGOV — Risk / Return Rank
XTL
SGOV
XTL vs. SGOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV). 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 | SGOV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -16.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -269.88 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.58 | 194.55 | -192.97 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 8.26 | 396.11 | -387.85 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 34.62 | 4,438.60 | -4,403.98 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
XTL vs. SGOV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XTL drawdown since its inception was -37.01%, which is greater than SGOV's maximum drawdown of -0.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XTL and SGOV.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| XTL | SGOV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -37.01% | -0.03% | -36.98% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.70% | -0.01% | -14.69% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.79% | -0.01% | -22.78% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.01% | -0.03% | -36.98% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.01% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.61% | 0.00% | -6.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.76% | -0.00% | -9.76% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.50% | 0.00% | +3.50% |
Volatility
XTL vs. SGOV - Volatility Comparison
SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) has a higher volatility of 11.24% compared to iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) at 0.05%. This indicates that XTL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SGOV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| XTL | SGOV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.24% | 0.05% | +11.19% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.21% | 0.13% | +24.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.10% | 0.19% | +29.91% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.35% | 0.24% | +25.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.67% | 0.24% | +23.43% |
XTL vs. SGOV - Expense Ratio Comparison
XTL has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SGOV's 0.09% expense ratio.
Dividends
XTL vs. SGOV - Dividend Comparison
XTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%, less than SGOV's 3.85% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | 3.85% | 4.10% | 5.10% | 4.87% | 1.45% | 0.03% | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | 0.86% | 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 SGOV 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.
XTL has higher volatility (11.24%) compared to SGOV (0.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XTL dropped -37.01% vs SGOV's -0.03%.
On 5-year performance, XTL leads with 19.06% vs 3.56% for SGOV. On fees, SGOV is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SGOV has been the lower-risk option at 0.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, XTL has performed better with a 19.06% return vs 3.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SGOV is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XTL.
SGOV has the higher dividend yield at 3.85%, compared with 0.86% for XTL.
XTL is categorized as Communications Equities, while SGOV is Ultrashort Bond. XTL tracks S&P Telecom Select Industry Index, while SGOV tracks ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XTL and 0.09% for SGOV.
SGOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (20.33 vs 4.04), 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.
Find the right allocation for XTL and SGOV
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer