XTR vs. XYLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XTR (Global X S&P 500 Tail Risk ETF) and XYLD (Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XTR is a Equity Hedged fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Tail Risk Index, while XYLD is a Derivative Income fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 BuyWrite Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XTR returned 18.55%/yr vs 11.27%/yr for XYLD. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XTR charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for XYLD.

Performance

XTR vs. XYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X S&P 500 Tail Risk ETF (XTR) and Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XTR achieves a 8.67% return, which is significantly higher than XYLD's 4.96% return.

XTR

• 1D: -0.65%
• 1M: 5.03%
• YTD: 8.67%
• 6M: 8.51%
• 1Y: 22.85%
• 3Y*: 18.55%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XYLD

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 2.00%
• YTD: 4.96%
• 6M: 6.48%
• 1Y: 17.66%
• 3Y*: 11.27%
• 5Y*: 7.72%
• 10Y*: 8.25%

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

XTR vs. XYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XTR Global X S&P 500 Tail Risk ETF	8.67%	13.66%	21.85%	21.16%	-17.67%	4.43%
XYLD Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF	4.96%	8.02%	19.49%	11.10%	-12.05%	5.13%

Correlation

The correlation between XTR and XYLD is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 27, 2021	0.84

The correlation between XTR and XYLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

XTR vs. XYLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XTR	XYLD
Technology	35.6%	35.6%
Financial Services	11.8%	11.8%
Communication Services	11.2%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.2%
Healthcare	8.5%	8.5%
Industrials	8.3%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.4%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

XTR vs. XYLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

XTR

XTR Risk / Return Rank: 61
XTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
XTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
XTR Omega Ratio Rank: 60
XTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
XTR Martin Ratio Rank: 63

XYLD

XYLD Risk / Return Rank: 82
XYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
XYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
XYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 92
XYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
XYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

XTR vs. XYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X S&P 500 Tail Risk ETF (XTR) and Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD). 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.

	XTR	XYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.71	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	3.87	-0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.64	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	3.35	-0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.51	17.84	-6.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XTR vs. XYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XTR Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the XYLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XTR and XYLD, 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

	XTR	XYLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	2.71	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.60	+0.12

Drawdowns

XTR vs. XYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XTR drawdown since its inception was -20.83%, smaller than the maximum XYLD drawdown of -33.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XTR and XYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	XTR	XYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.83%	-33.46%	+12.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.51%	-5.29%	-3.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.35%	-15.53%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.66%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.46%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.65%	-0.15%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.95%	-3.72%	-2.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	0.99%	+1.00%

Volatility

XTR vs. XYLD - Volatility Comparison

Global X S&P 500 Tail Risk ETF (XTR) has a higher volatility of 2.99% compared to Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) at 0.88%. This indicates that XTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XTR	XYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	0.88%	+2.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.16%	5.37%	+2.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.76%	6.55%	+4.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.78%	11.22%	+2.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.78%	14.21%	-0.43%

XTR vs. XYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

XTR has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than XYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

XTR vs. XYLD - Dividend Comparison

XTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.40%, more than XYLD's 10.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XTR Global X S&P 500 Tail Risk ETF	16.40%	17.82%	20.89%	1.09%	1.08%	2.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XYLD Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF	10.52%	10.51%	11.54%	10.51%	13.43%	9.07%	7.93%	5.76%	7.12%	5.18%	3.23%	4.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XTR and XYLD in my portfolio?

XTR and XYLD have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XTR or XYLD?

XTR has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to XYLD (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XTR dropped -20.83% vs XYLD's -33.46%.

Which ETF is better, XTR or XYLD?

On 3-year performance, XTR leads with 18.55% vs 11.27% for XYLD. On fees, XTR is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, XYLD has been the lower-risk option at 0.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XTR or XYLD?

Over the 3-year period, XTR has performed better with a 18.55% return vs 11.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XTR or XYLD?

XTR is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for XYLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XTR or XYLD?

XTR has the higher dividend yield at 16.40%, compared with 10.52% for XYLD.

What is the main difference between XTR and XYLD?

XTR is categorized as Equity Hedged, while XYLD is Derivative Income. XTR tracks Cboe S&P 500 Tail Risk Index, while XYLD tracks Cboe S&P 500 BuyWrite Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for XTR and 0.60% for XYLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 2.14), 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.