XTL vs. XLC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XTL (SPDR S&P Telecom ETF) and XLC (Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - XTL is a Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Telecom Select Industry Index, while XLC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XTL returned 19.82%/yr vs 8.28%/yr for XLC. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XTL charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLC.

Performance

XTL vs. XLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XTL achieves a 56.08% return, which is significantly higher than XLC's -4.49% return.

XTL

• 1D: -3.76%
• 1M: 5.66%
• YTD: 56.08%
• 6M: 62.03%
• 1Y: 130.19%
• 3Y*: 48.87%
• 5Y*: 19.82%
• 10Y*: 16.51%

XLC

• 1D: -1.31%
• 1M: -3.46%
• YTD: -4.49%
• 6M: -2.02%
• 1Y: 11.67%
• 3Y*: 22.40%
• 5Y*: 8.28%
• 10Y*: —

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

XTL vs. XLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF	56.08%	44.95%	34.89%	-1.17%	-19.18%	21.58%	22.46%	12.51%	-14.48%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	-4.49%	23.08%	34.71%	52.82%	-37.63%	15.96%	26.90%	31.05%	-16.88%

Correlation

The correlation between XTL and XLC is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2018	0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between XTL and XLC has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XTL vs. XLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XTL	XLC
Technology	61.4%	4.7%
Communication Services	36.1%	95.1%
Real Estate	2.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XTL vs. XLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

XTL

XTL Risk / Return Rank: 95
XTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
XTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
XTL Omega Ratio Rank: 92
XTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
XTL Martin Ratio Rank: 97

XLC

XLC Risk / Return Rank: 24
XLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
XLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
XLC Omega Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
XLC Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

XTL vs. XLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). 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.

	XTL	XLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.51	0.88	+3.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.87	1.36	+3.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	1.15	+0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.91	1.11	+7.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	40.85	3.72	+37.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XTL vs. XLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XTL Sharpe Ratio is 4.51, which is higher than the XLC Sharpe Ratio of 0.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XTL and XLC, 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

	XTL	XLC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.51	0.88	+3.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.40	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.53	0.00

Drawdowns

XTL vs. XLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XTL drawdown since its inception was -37.01%, smaller than the maximum XLC drawdown of -46.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XTL and XLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	XTL	XLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.01%	-46.65%	+9.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.70%	-10.57%	-4.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.79%	-17.97%	-4.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.01%	-46.65%	+9.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.01%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.76%	-6.36%	+2.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.77%	-10.60%	+0.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.20%	3.14%	+0.06%

Volatility

XTL vs. XLC - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) has a higher volatility of 8.96% compared to Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) at 3.67%. This indicates that XTL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XTL	XLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.96%	3.67%	+5.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.92%	9.57%	+13.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.07%	13.26%	+15.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.10%	20.68%	+4.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.53%	22.20%	+1.33%

XTL vs. XLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

XTL has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLC's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

XTL vs. XLC - Dividend Comparison

XTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, less than XLC's 1.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.25%	1.13%	0.99%	0.82%	1.10%	0.74%	0.68%	0.82%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF	0.83%	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

Can I hold both XTL and XLC in my portfolio?

XTL and XLC have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XTL or XLC?

XTL has higher volatility (8.96%) compared to XLC (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XTL dropped -37.01% vs XLC's -46.65%.

Which ETF is better, XTL or XLC?

On 5-year performance, XTL leads with 19.82% vs 8.28% for XLC. On fees, XLC is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, XLC has been the lower-risk option at 3.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XTL or XLC?

Over the 5-year period, XTL has performed better with a 19.82% return vs 8.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XTL or XLC?

XLC is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XTL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XTL or XLC?

XLC has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 0.83% for XTL.

What is the main difference between XTL and XLC?

XTL is categorized as Communications Equities, while XLC is Large Cap Growth Equities. XTL tracks S&P Telecom Select Industry Index, while XLC tracks S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XTL and 0.13% for XLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XTL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.51 vs 0.88), 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.