XYLG vs. PAVE

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

XYLG (Global X S&P 500 Covered Call & Growth ETF) and PAVE (Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XYLG is a Derivative Income fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Half BuyWrite Index, while PAVE is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the INDXX U.S. Infrastructure Development Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XYLG returned 10.83%/yr vs 17.29%/yr for PAVE. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XYLG charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for PAVE.

Performance

XYLG vs. PAVE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X S&P 500 Covered Call & Growth ETF (XYLG) and Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XYLG achieves a 8.26% return, which is significantly lower than PAVE's 19.04% return.

XYLG

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 3.53%
• YTD: 8.26%
• 6M: 9.33%
• 1Y: 24.07%
• 3Y*: 16.78%
• 5Y*: 10.83%
• 10Y*: —

PAVE

• 1D: 1.63%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 19.04%
• 6M: 19.47%
• 1Y: 38.20%
• 3Y*: 26.48%
• 5Y*: 17.29%
• 10Y*: —

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

XYLG vs. PAVE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
XYLG Global X S&P 500 Covered Call & Growth ETF	8.26%	12.93%	22.31%	18.16%	-15.46%	23.81%	12.13%
PAVE Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF	19.04%	19.36%	17.92%	31.01%	-7.17%	36.42%	29.91%

Correlation

The correlation between XYLG and PAVE is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2020	0.74

The correlation between XYLG and PAVE shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.75 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XYLG vs. PAVE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XYLG	PAVE
Technology	38.7%	1.1%
Financial Services	11.4%	-
Communication Services	10.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	-
Healthcare	8.3%	-
Industrials	7.7%	74.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	0.3%
Energy	3.4%	0.2%
Utilities	2.7%	3.2%
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.7%	20.3%

Return for Risk

XYLG vs. PAVE — Risk / Return Rank

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

XYLG

XYLG Risk / Return Rank: 78
XYLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
XYLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
XYLG Omega Ratio Rank: 80
XYLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
XYLG Martin Ratio Rank: 85

PAVE

PAVE Risk / Return Rank: 61
PAVE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
PAVE Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
PAVE Omega Ratio Rank: 55
PAVE Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
PAVE Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

XYLG vs. PAVE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X S&P 500 Covered Call & Growth ETF (XYLG) and Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE). 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.

	XYLG	PAVE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	2.04	+0.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.59	2.88	+0.71
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.34	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.56	3.22	+0.34
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.01	11.84	+6.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XYLG vs. PAVE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XYLG Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is comparable to the PAVE Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XYLG and PAVE, 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

	XYLG	PAVE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	2.04	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.80	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.99	0.68	+0.31

Drawdowns

XYLG vs. PAVE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XYLG drawdown since its inception was -21.30%, smaller than the maximum PAVE drawdown of -44.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XYLG and PAVE.

Drawdown Indicators

	XYLG	PAVE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.30%	-44.08%	+22.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.93%	-11.91%	+4.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.42%	-26.23%	+8.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.30%	-26.23%	+4.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-2.50%	+2.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.10%	-6.24%	+2.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.37%	3.24%	-1.87%

Volatility

XYLG vs. PAVE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X S&P 500 Covered Call & Growth ETF (XYLG) is 2.55%, while Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE) has a volatility of 6.46%. This indicates that XYLG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PAVE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XYLG	PAVE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.55%	6.46%	-3.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.58%	15.22%	-7.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.49%	18.84%	-9.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.00%	21.60%	-7.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.87%	24.39%	-10.52%

XYLG vs. PAVE - Expense Ratio Comparison

XYLG has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than PAVE's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

XYLG vs. PAVE - Dividend Comparison

XYLG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.01%, more than PAVE's 0.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PAVE Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF	0.77%	0.92%	0.54%	0.68%	0.84%	0.48%	0.44%	0.67%	0.78%	0.30%
XYLG Global X S&P 500 Covered Call & Growth ETF	13.01%	13.94%	23.65%	4.90%	6.43%	7.40%	1.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XYLG and PAVE in my portfolio?

XYLG and PAVE have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XYLG or PAVE?

PAVE has higher volatility (6.46%) compared to XYLG (2.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XYLG dropped -21.30% vs PAVE's -44.08%.

Which ETF is better, XYLG or PAVE?

On 5-year performance, PAVE leads with 17.29% vs 10.83% for XYLG. On fees, XYLG is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XYLG has been the lower-risk option at 2.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XYLG or PAVE?

Over the 5-year period, PAVE has performed better with a 17.29% return vs 10.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XYLG or PAVE?

XYLG is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for PAVE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XYLG or PAVE?

XYLG has the higher dividend yield at 13.01%, compared with 0.77% for PAVE.

What is the main difference between XYLG and PAVE?

XYLG is categorized as Derivative Income, while PAVE is Utilities Equities. XYLG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Half BuyWrite Index, while PAVE tracks INDXX U.S. Infrastructure Development Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XYLG and 0.47% for PAVE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XYLG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.04), 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.