BAI vs XLCI
iShares AI Innovation and Tech Active ETF vs State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF
Which is better, BAI or XLCI?
BAI has been ahead.
XLCI has a lower expense ratio. BAI led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BAI | XLCI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.35%Best |
| AUM | $14.4B | $3M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.34% | 12.34% |
| Holdings | 55 | 4 |
| YTD Return | +42.49%Best | +0.99% |
| 1Y Return | +36.63%Best | +3.97% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 40.0% | 9.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -30.9% | -8.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $15,845Best | $10,749 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 21, 2024 | Jul 29, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 30, 2025 to Oct 9, 2026 (1.2 years).
BAI vs XLCI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
BAI vs XLCI Performance
iShares AI Innovation and Tech Active ETF (BAI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLCI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year BAI returned +36.63% while XLCI returned +3.97%. Year to date, BAI is up 42.49% versus a gain of 0.99% for XLCI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 40.0% compared with 9.9% for XLCI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -30.9% for BAI and -8.4% for XLCI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.23. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BAI charges 0.55% per year while XLCI charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $35 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BAI currently yields 1.34% against 12.34% for XLCI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 50 holdings in BAI and 2 in XLCI, totalling 99.9% and 100.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in BAI and 2 in XLCI, against full books of 55 and 4.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BAI and XLCI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BAI or XLCI?
BAI has an expense ratio of 0.55% while XLCI charges 0.35%. XLCI is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BAI or XLCI?
Over the past year BAI returned +36.63% vs +3.97% for XLCI, so BAI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), BAI annualized +46.75% vs +6.20% for XLCI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BAI or XLCI?
BAI has been the more volatile fund at 40.0% annualized versus 9.9% for XLCI. Worst drawdown: BAI -30.9% vs XLCI -8.4%.
Should I hold both BAI and XLCI?
BAI and XLCI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.23, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BAI or XLCI?
BAI yields 1.34% while XLCI yields 12.34%, so XLCI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLCI better than BAI?
XLCI has a lower expense ratio. BAI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.