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. SPDW is less concentrated, with 13.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 74.1%.
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 | $40.8B | $39.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.01% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 2,440 | 48 |
| YTD Return | +11.12% | +51.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.59% | +61.07%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.81%Best | +18.17% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.02% | +23.10%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5%Best | 26.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -62.2%Best | -76.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,400 | $28,268Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.1%Best | 74.1% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 20, 2007 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2007 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.5 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 19.5 years both funds cover.
SPDW vs XLE Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year SPDW returned +18.59% while XLE returned +61.07%. Year to date, SPDW is up 11.12% versus a gain of 51.09% for XLE.
Over three years, SPDW compounded at +19.81% per year against +18.17% for XLE; over five years the annualized figures are +9.02% and +23.10% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, XLE has the edge at +5.03% annualized vs +2.88%.
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 17.5% 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 0.62. 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 3.01% against 2.37% for XLE.
Holdings Overlap
1.9% of XLE's money is in holdings SPDW also owns.
XLE and SPDW share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 2,390 positions we hold weights for in SPDW and 22 in XLE, against full books of 2,440 and 48.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 21 positions for XLE that do not appear in our book for SPDW (98.0% of the fund), and 45 for SPDW that do not appear in XLE (6.4%).
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 XLE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EQTEQT Corp. | 0.04% | 1.92% | 1.88% |
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 +18.59% vs +61.07% for XLE, so XLE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SPDW annualized +2.88% vs +5.03% 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 17.5% 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 0.62, 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 XLE?
1.9% of XLE's money is in holdings SPDW also owns. 1.9% of XLE's is in holdings SPDW also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 2,390 positions we hold weights for in SPDW and 22 in XLE.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPDW or XLE?
SPDW yields 3.01% while XLE yields 2.37%, 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. SPDW is less concentrated, with 13.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 74.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.