SPDW vs XLF
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF vs State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, SPDW or XLF?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SPDW has a lower expense ratio. SPDW led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, XLF over 5Y.
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 | XLF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $42.1B | $54.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.92% | 1.40% |
| Holdings | 2,440 | 80 |
| YTD Return | +14.55%Best | +0.15% |
| 1Y Return | +22.48%Best | +2.69% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.47%Best | +19.09% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.24% | +9.27%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6%Best | 23.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -62.2%Best | -83.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,556 | $15,578Best |
| 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 XLF 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 XLF Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year SPDW returned +22.48% while XLF returned +2.69%. Year to date, SPDW is up 14.55% versus a gain of 0.15% for XLF.
Over three years, SPDW compounded at +20.47% per year against +19.09% for XLF; over five years the annualized figures are +9.24% and +9.27% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, SPDW has the edge at +3.05% annualized vs +2.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.0% 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 -83.8% for XLF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPDW charges 0.03% per year while XLF 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 1.40% for XLF.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.5% of XLF's money is in holdings SPDW also owns.
Stated as a floor: for SPDW, our book for it covers 86.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
2 positions in common, counted across the 2,129 positions we hold weights for in SPDW and 77 in XLF, against full books of 2,440 and 80.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPDW and XLF 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 XLF?
SPDW has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XLF charges 0.08%. SPDW is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPDW or XLF?
Over the past year SPDW returned +22.48% vs +2.69% for XLF, so SPDW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), SPDW annualized +3.05% vs +2.47% for XLF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPDW or XLF?
XLF has been the more volatile fund at 23.0% annualized versus 17.6% for SPDW. Worst drawdown: SPDW -62.2% vs XLF -83.8%.
Should I hold both SPDW and XLF?
SPDW and XLF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 XLF?
SPDW yields 2.92% while XLF yields 1.40%, so SPDW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLF better than SPDW?
SPDW has a lower expense ratio. SPDW led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, XLF over 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.