XTN vs. XLI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XTN (SPDR S&P Transportation ETF) and XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both Industrials Equities funds from State Street - XTN tracks the S&P Transportation Select Industry Index while XLI tracks the Industrial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XTN returned 10.20%/yr vs 14.04%/yr for XLI. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. XTN charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLI.

Performance

XTN vs. XLI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XTN achieves a 19.69% return, which is significantly higher than XLI's 16.55% return. Over the past 10 years, XTN has underperformed XLI with an annualized return of 10.20%, while XLI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.04% annualized return.

XTN

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: -5.96%
• 6M: 13.81%
• YTD: 19.69%
• 1Y: 36.39%
• 3Y*: 8.69%
• 5Y*: 6.50%
• 10Y*: 10.20%
• ALL TIME*: 10.72%

XLI

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -2.21%
• 6M: 9.28%
• YTD: 16.55%
• 1Y: 21.65%
• 3Y*: 19.24%
• 5Y*: 13.41%
• 10Y*: 14.04%
• ALL TIME*: 9.64%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	$1.17B	$1.19B	$1.34B
XTN SPDR S&P Transportation ETF	$3.22M	$3.69M	$6.00M

XTN vs. XLI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XTN SPDR S&P Transportation ETF	19.69%	6.33%	4.86%	25.22%	-28.10%	33.68%	12.11%	21.85%	-17.26%	21.55%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	16.55%	19.35%	17.31%	18.13%	-5.57%	21.08%	10.91%	29.08%	-13.25%	23.98%

Correlation

The correlation between XTN and XLI is 0.62, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 27, 2011	0.78

The correlation between XTN and XLI shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (1 year) to 0.79 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XTN vs. XLI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XTN	XLI
Industrials	94.7%	87.7%
Technology	5.3%	5.5%
Basic Materials	-	2.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	4.8%

Return for Risk

XTN vs. XLI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

XTN

XTN Risk / Return Rank: 49
XTN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
XTN Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
XTN Omega Ratio Rank: 48
XTN Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
XTN Martin Ratio Rank: 47

XLI

XLI Risk / Return Rank: 48
XLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
XLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
XLI Omega Ratio Rank: 45
XLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
XLI Martin Ratio Rank: 55

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

XTN vs. XLI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN) and Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI). 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.

	XTN	XLI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.19	1.18	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.75	1.71	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.21	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.90	1.63	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.31	6.43	-1.12

XTN vs. XLI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XTN Sharpe Ratio is 1.19, which is comparable to the XLI Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XTN and XLI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

XTN vs. XLI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XTN drawdown since its inception was -43.77%, smaller than the maximum XLI drawdown of -62.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XTN and XLI.

Drawdown Indicators

	XTN	XLI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.77%	-62.26%	+18.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.28%	-12.21%	-5.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.69%	-18.49%	-15.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.05%	-21.64%	-13.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.77%	-42.33%	-1.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.43%	-3.08%	-4.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.85%	-9.16%	-1.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.18%	3.09%	+3.09%

Volatility

XTN vs. XLI - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN) has a higher volatility of 5.56% compared to Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) at 4.83%. This indicates that XTN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XTN	XLI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.56%	4.83%	+0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.33%	14.00%	+8.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.71%	16.92%	+10.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.86%	17.60%	+9.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.16%	20.04%	+6.12%

XTN vs. XLI - Expense Ratio Comparison

XTN has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLI's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

XTN vs. XLI - Dividend Comparison

XTN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.67%, less than XLI's 1.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.14%	1.29%	1.44%	1.63%	1.63%	1.25%	1.55%	1.94%	2.15%	1.77%	2.07%	2.15%
XTN SPDR S&P Transportation ETF	0.67%	0.78%	0.93%	0.73%	1.04%	1.02%	0.75%	1.17%	0.98%	0.63%	0.66%	1.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XTN and XLI in my portfolio?

XTN and XLI have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XTN or XLI?

XTN has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to XLI (4.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XTN dropped -43.77% vs XLI's -62.26%.

Which ETF is better, XTN or XLI?

On 10-year performance, XLI leads with 14.04% vs 10.20% for XTN. On fees, XLI is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLI has been the lower-risk option at 4.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XTN or XLI?

Over the 10-year period, XLI has performed better with a 14.04% return vs 10.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XTN or XLI?

XLI is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XTN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XTN or XLI?

XLI has the higher dividend yield at 1.14%, compared with 0.67% for XTN.

What is the main difference between XTN and XLI?

XTN tracks S&P Transportation Select Industry Index, while XLI tracks Industrial Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XTN and 0.08% for XLI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XTN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.19 vs 1.18), 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.