SPDW vs XLK
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF vs State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, SPDW or XLK?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
SPDW has a lower expense ratio. XLK led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPDW is less concentrated, with 10.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.3%.
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 | XLK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $42.1B | $119.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.92% | 0.43% |
| Holdings | 2,440 | 77 |
| YTD Return | +16.38% | +30.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +24.61% | +39.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.35% | +30.96%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.43% | +20.02%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6%Best | 19.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -62.2% | -53.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,692 | $24,904Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 10.9%Best | 61.3% |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 20, 2007 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2007 to Sep 11, 2026 (19.4 years).
SPDW vs XLK 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.
SPDW vs XLK Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year SPDW returned +24.61% while XLK returned +39.20%. Year to date, SPDW is up 16.38% versus a gain of 30.37% for XLK.
Over three years, SPDW compounded at +20.35% per year against +30.96% for XLK; over five years the annualized figures are +9.43% and +20.02% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, XLK has the edge at +15.34% annualized vs +3.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% 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 -53.6% for XLK. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPDW charges 0.03% per year while XLK 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 0.43% for XLK.
Holdings Overlap
1.6% of XLK's money is in holdings SPDW also owns.
XLK and SPDW share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 132 days apart, SPDW as of Mar 31, 2026 and XLK as of Aug 10, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 2,346 positions we hold weights for in SPDW and 74 in XLK, against full books of 2,440 and 77.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 72 positions for XLK that do not appear in our book for SPDW (98.3% of the fund), and 49 for SPDW that do not appear in XLK (4.2%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPDW | Weight in XLK | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORCLOracle Corp. | 0.01% | 1.62% | 1.61% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPDW and XLK 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 XLK?
SPDW has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XLK charges 0.08%. SPDW is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPDW or XLK?
Over the past year SPDW returned +24.61% vs +39.20% for XLK, so XLK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), SPDW annualized +3.14% vs +15.34% for XLK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPDW or XLK?
XLK has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 17.6% for SPDW. Worst drawdown: SPDW -62.2% vs XLK -53.6%.
Should I hold both SPDW and XLK?
SPDW and XLK have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SPDW and XLK?
1.6% of XLK's money is in holdings SPDW also owns. 1.6% of XLK's is in holdings SPDW also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 2,346 positions we hold weights for in SPDW and 74 in XLK.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPDW or XLK?
SPDW yields 2.92% while XLK yields 0.43%, so SPDW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLK better than SPDW?
SPDW has a lower expense ratio. XLK led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPDW is less concentrated, with 10.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.