USMC vs XLEI
Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF vs State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF
Which is better, USMC or XLEI?
XLEI has been ahead.
USMC has a lower expense ratio. XLEI led over 1Y 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 | USMC | XLEI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $5.2B | $133M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.74% | 19.16% |
| Holdings | 58 | 7 |
| YTD Return | +13.98% | +37.32%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.91% | +48.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.22% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.81% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.7%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.3% | -8.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $12,332 | $14,810Best |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 11, 2017 | Jul 29, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 30, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.2 years).
USMC vs XLEI 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
USMC vs XLEI Performance
Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC) is an ETF from Principal Funds and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year USMC returned +14.91% while XLEI returned +48.08%. Year to date, USMC is up 13.98% versus a gain of 37.32% for XLEI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLEI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 11.7% for USMC. 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 -10.3% for USMC and -8.2% for XLEI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.48. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USMC charges 0.12% per year while XLEI charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $35 annually, a gap of $23 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USMC currently yields 0.74% against 19.16% for XLEI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 27 holdings in USMC and 2 in XLEI, totalling 100.0% and 101.2% 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 27 positions we hold weights for in USMC and 2 in XLEI, against full books of 58 and 7.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USMC and XLEI 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, USMC or XLEI?
USMC has an expense ratio of 0.12% while XLEI charges 0.35%. USMC is the cheaper option, by $23 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USMC or XLEI?
Over the past year USMC returned +14.91% vs +48.08% for XLEI, so XLEI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), USMC annualized +19.09% vs +38.72% for XLEI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USMC or XLEI?
XLEI has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 11.7% for USMC. Worst drawdown: USMC -10.3% vs XLEI -8.2%.
Should I hold both USMC and XLEI?
USMC and XLEI have a monthly-return correlation of -0.48, 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, USMC or XLEI?
USMC yields 0.74% while XLEI yields 19.16%, so XLEI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLEI better than USMC?
USMC has a lower expense ratio. XLEI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.