SPDW vs XLE
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF vs State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, SPDW or XLE?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SPDW has a lower expense ratio. SPDW led over 3Y, XLE over 1Y, 5Y 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 | SPDW | XLE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $42.1B | $42.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.92% | 2.55% |
| Holdings | 2,440 | 24 |
| YTD Return | +14.55% | +38.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | +22.48% | +43.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.47%Best | +14.69% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.24% | +23.96%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6%Best | 26.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -62.2%Best | -76.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,556 | $29,269Best |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 20, 2007 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2007 to Sep 23, 2026 (19.4 years).
SPDW vs XLE 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 covers the 19.4 years both funds cover.
SPDW vs XLE Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year SPDW returned +22.48% while XLE returned +43.01%. Year to date, SPDW is up 14.55% versus a gain of 38.51% for XLE.
Over three years, SPDW compounded at +20.47% per year against +14.69% for XLE; over five years the annualized figures are +9.24% and +23.96% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, XLE has the edge at +4.57% annualized vs +3.05%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.8% compared with 17.6% for SPDW. 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 -62.2% for SPDW and -76.7% for XLE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPDW charges 0.03% per year while XLE charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $8 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPDW currently yields 2.92% against 2.55% for XLE.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2,129 holdings in SPDW and 22 in XLE, totalling 86.3% and 99.7% 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 2,129 positions we hold weights for in SPDW and 22 in XLE, against full books of 2,440 and 24.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 2,129 and 22 positions we hold weights for.
SPDW holds 40 positions XLE does not, 2.4% of the fund.
Largest: SHEL 0.76%, SPOT 0.24%, IDEXY 0.22%, CSLLY 0.17%, ARM 0.10%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPDW and XLE 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, SPDW or XLE?
SPDW has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XLE charges 0.08%. SPDW is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPDW or XLE?
Over the past year SPDW returned +22.48% vs +43.01% for XLE, so XLE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), SPDW annualized +3.05% vs +4.57% for XLE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPDW or XLE?
XLE has been the more volatile fund at 26.8% annualized versus 17.6% for SPDW. Worst drawdown: SPDW -62.2% vs XLE -76.7%.
Should I hold both SPDW and XLE?
SPDW and XLE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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, SPDW or XLE?
SPDW yields 2.92% while XLE yields 2.55%, so SPDW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLE better than SPDW?
SPDW has a lower expense ratio. SPDW led over 3Y, XLE over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.