XWTS.L vs. WTEL.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XWTS.L (Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C) and WTEL.L (SPDR MSCI World Telecommunications UCITS ETF) are both Communications Equities funds tracking the MSCI World/Comm Services NR USD, from Xtrackers and State Street respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XWTS.L returned 10.80%/yr vs 10.79%/yr for WTEL.L. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. XWTS.L charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for WTEL.L.

Performance

XWTS.L vs. WTEL.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C (XWTS.L) and SPDR MSCI World Telecommunications UCITS ETF (WTEL.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with XWTS.L having a 3.66% return and WTEL.L slightly higher at 3.74%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with XWTS.L having a 10.80% annualized return and WTEL.L not far behind at 10.79%.

XWTS.L

• 1D: 1.04%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 3.66%
• 6M: 3.22%
• 1Y: 24.71%
• 3Y*: 26.85%
• 5Y*: 10.80%
• 10Y*: 10.80%

WTEL.L

• 1D: 1.54%
• 1M: -0.94%
• YTD: 3.74%
• 6M: 3.36%
• 1Y: 25.46%
• 3Y*: 26.97%
• 5Y*: 10.79%
• 10Y*: 10.79%

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

XWTS.L vs. WTEL.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XWTS.L Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C	3.66%	28.97%	34.65%	47.43%	-37.76%	16.03%	22.50%	26.25%	-10.06%	6.43%
WTEL.L SPDR MSCI World Telecommunications UCITS ETF	3.74%	28.84%	35.03%	47.06%	-37.79%	15.91%	22.40%	26.15%	-9.97%	6.61%

Correlation

The correlation between XWTS.L and WTEL.L is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2016	0.98

The correlation between XWTS.L and WTEL.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

XWTS.L vs. WTEL.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XWTS.L	WTEL.L
Communication Services	96.6%	99.1%
Technology	1.9%	0.4%
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.3%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	0.0%
Energy	-	0.0%
Financial Services	-	0.0%
Healthcare	-	0.0%
Industrials	-	0.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XWTS.L vs. WTEL.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

XWTS.L

XWTS.L Risk / Return Rank: 50
XWTS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
XWTS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
XWTS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 47
XWTS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
XWTS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 52

WTEL.L

WTEL.L Risk / Return Rank: 49
WTEL.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
WTEL.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
WTEL.L Omega Ratio Rank: 47
WTEL.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
WTEL.L Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

XWTS.L vs. WTEL.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C (XWTS.L) and SPDR MSCI World Telecommunications UCITS ETF (WTEL.L). 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.

	XWTS.L	WTEL.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	1.71	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	2.61	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.30	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.17	2.13	+0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.66	8.43	+0.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XWTS.L vs. WTEL.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XWTS.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the WTEL.L Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XWTS.L and WTEL.L, 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

	XWTS.L	WTEL.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69	1.71	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.56	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.61	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.61	-0.01

Drawdowns

XWTS.L vs. WTEL.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XWTS.L drawdown since its inception was -44.71%, roughly equal to the maximum WTEL.L drawdown of -44.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XWTS.L and WTEL.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	XWTS.L	WTEL.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.71%	-44.74%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.35%	-11.88%	+0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.95%	-19.15%	+0.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.71%	-44.74%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.71%	-44.74%	+0.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.20%	-3.04%	-0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.84%	-8.95%	+0.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.85%	3.01%	-0.16%

Volatility

XWTS.L vs. WTEL.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C (XWTS.L) is 4.13%, while SPDR MSCI World Telecommunications UCITS ETF (WTEL.L) has a volatility of 4.36%. This indicates that XWTS.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WTEL.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XWTS.L	WTEL.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.13%	4.36%	-0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.57%	10.76%	-0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.57%	14.85%	-0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.07%	19.14%	-0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.97%	17.88%	+0.09%

XWTS.L vs. WTEL.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

XWTS.L has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than WTEL.L's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

XWTS.L vs. WTEL.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither XWTS.L nor WTEL.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XWTS.L and WTEL.L in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, XWTS.L and WTEL.L move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, XWTS.L or WTEL.L?

On fees, XWTS.L is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XWTS.L or WTEL.L?

XWTS.L is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for WTEL.L.

What is the main difference between XWTS.L and WTEL.L?

Both ETFs track MSCI World/Comm Services NR USD. They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for XWTS.L and 0.30% for WTEL.L.