DSTL vs XLF
Distillate US Fundamental Stability & Value ETF vs State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, DSTL or XLF?
Each has led over a different period.
XLF has a lower expense ratio. DSTL led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, XLF over 3Y. DSTL is less concentrated, with 18.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.3%.
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 | DSTL | XLF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.08%Best |
| AUM | $2.0B | $51.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.14% | 1.40% |
| Holdings | 300 | 160 |
| YTD Return | +13.34%Best | +0.47% |
| 1Y Return | +16.45%Best | +4.02% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.03% | +19.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.92%Best | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3%Best | 20.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.1%Best | -43.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,790Best | $15,260 |
| Top 10 Weight | 18.3%Best | 57.3% |
| Fund Family | Distillate Capital Etfs | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 23, 2018 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 24, 2018 to Oct 14, 2026 (8 years).
DSTL 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 8 years both funds cover.
DSTL vs XLF Performance
Distillate US Fundamental Stability & Value ETF (DSTL) is an ETF from Distillate Capital Etfs and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year DSTL returned +16.45% while XLF returned +4.02%. Year to date, DSTL is up 13.34% versus a gain of 0.47% for XLF.
Over three years, DSTL compounded at +15.03% per year against +19.43% for XLF; over five years the annualized figures are +10.92% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, DSTL has the edge at +14.39% annualized vs +11.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 17.3% for DSTL. 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 -33.1% for DSTL and -43.3% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DSTL charges 0.39% per year while XLF charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $8 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DSTL currently yields 1.14% against 1.40% for XLF.
Holdings Overlap
7.8% of DSTL's money is in holdings XLF also owns. 5.2% of XLF's money is in holdings DSTL also owns.
DSTL and XLF share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in DSTL and 77 in XLF, against full books of 300 and 160.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 68 positions for XLF that do not appear in our book for DSTL (94.3% of the fund), and 92 for DSTL that do not appear in XLF (91.3%).
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 DSTL | Weight in XLF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMEC M E Group Inc. | 1.07% | 1.24% | 0.17% |
| ICEIntercontinental Exchange Grp Usd0.01 | 1.12% | 1.10% | 0.02% |
| PYPLPaypal Holdings Inc | 1.35% | 0.59% | 0.76% |
| AJGArthur J Gallagher & Co. | 1.11% | 0.76% | 0.35% |
| AONAon Public Limited Company Cl. A | 0.87% | 0.80% | 0.07% |
| CPAYCorpay Inc | 0.82% | 0.33% | 0.49% |
| BROBrown & Brown Inc | 0.74% | 0.24% | 0.50% |
| FDSFactset Research Systems Inc. | 0.75% | 0.12% | 0.63% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DSTL 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, DSTL or XLF?
DSTL has an expense ratio of 0.39% while XLF charges 0.08%. XLF is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DSTL or XLF?
Over the past year DSTL returned +16.45% vs +4.02% for XLF, so DSTL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), DSTL annualized +14.39% vs +11.51% for XLF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DSTL or XLF?
XLF has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 17.3% for DSTL. Worst drawdown: DSTL -33.1% vs XLF -43.3%.
Should I hold both DSTL and XLF?
DSTL and XLF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 DSTL and XLF?
7.8% of DSTL's money is in holdings XLF also owns. 5.2% of XLF's is in holdings DSTL also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in DSTL and 77 in XLF.
Which pays a higher dividend, DSTL or XLF?
DSTL yields 1.14% while XLF yields 1.40%, so XLF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLF better than DSTL?
XLF has a lower expense ratio. DSTL led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, XLF over 3Y. DSTL is less concentrated, with 18.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.