Keep tabs on your favorite ETFs with a personalized weekly tracker. Create a Watchlist now →
XLUvsFXUETF Comparison
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX ETF (FXU) belong to the same industry segment: US Utilities. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: and Utilities. XLU is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.08%, versus 0.61% for FXU. XLU is up 8.19% year-to-date (YTD) with +$868M in YTD flows. FXU performs better with 10.52% YTD performance, and -$1.06B in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of XLU and FXU below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
XLU vs FXU performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XLU FXU | +3.56%+4.20% | +8.10%+11.77% | +8.19%+10.52% | +22.64%+27.71% | +54.80%+71.44% | +74.58%+93.38% |
| Flows | XLU FXU | +$1.13B-$7M | +$1.03B-$1.01B | +$868M-$1.06B | +$3.16B+$222M | +$4.05B+$185M | +$6.62B+$342M |
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | XLU FXU | +14.75%+12.81% | +15.48%+14.77% | +16.25%+15.82% | +17.16%+16.66% |
| Max drawdown | XLU FXU | -3.26%-2.49% | -9.19%-8.51% | -18.42%-17.58% | -25.30%-21.82% |
| Max drawdown duration | XLU FXU | 10d9d | 120d26d | 373d368d | 688d604d |
XLU | FXU | |
Last sale 3/11/2026 at 1:30 PM | $46.17 | $49.62 |
| Previous close 03/11/2026 | $46.56 | $49.73 |
| Consolidated volume 03/11/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Create an account to view replication metrics
XLU | FXU | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
XLU | FXU | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $46.17 | $49.62 |
| 1D performance | -0.84% | -0.22% |
| AuM | $24.38 B | $847.77 M |
| E/R | 0.08% | 0.61% |
XLU | FXU | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | SPDR | First Trust |
| Benchmark | S&P Utilities Select Sector Index | StrataQuant Utilities Index |
| N° of holdings | 31 | 40 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | December 16, 1998 | May 8, 2007 |
| ESG | No | No |
Countries
Sectors
Diversification
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
Top 15 holdings
How have the XLU and FXU ETFs performed in 2026?
As of March 11, 2026, XLU is up 8.19% year-to-date (YTD), while FXU has returned 10.52%. That puts FXU better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: XLU or FXU?
Year-to-date, the XLU ETF saw +$868M in flows, compared to -$1.06B for FXU.
Which ETF is more volatile: XLU or FXU?
Over the past year, XLU had a volatility of 15.48%, while FXU experienced 14.77%.
Which ETF is bigger: XLU or FXU?
As of March 11, 2026, XLU holds $24.38 B in assets under management (AUM), while FXU manages $847.77 M.
What sectors do the XLU and FXU ETFs invest in?
XLU leans toward sectors like Utilities. Meanwhile, FXU focuses on Utilities.
What are the top holdings of the XLU ETF and FXU ETF?
XLU top holdings include NEXTERA ENERGY, SOUTHERN and DUKE ENERGY. FXU holds in its top three: CONSOLIDATED EDISON, UGI and NFG.
Which ETF is more diversified: XLU or FXU?
XLU holds 31 securities with 72.53% of its assets in the top 15. FXU has 40 securities and a top 15 weight of 56.87%.
Investing in Sector ETFs: Consumer Staples, Healthcare, & Utilities
Exploring Sector Rotation: Value vs. Growth
May 2024 U.S. Sector ETFs Inflows and Outflows Breakdown
Tony's ETF Buyer's Guide: Sector ETFs (Vanguard versus State Street SPDR)
Defensive Sector ETFs Have Suffered Unusually High Losses Throughout 2023
Calamos Investments Powers the Next Phase of the Autocallable Revolution
Join J.P. Morgan’s Bram Kaplan, Head of Americas Equity Derivatives Strategy and Matt Kaufman from Calamos Investments as they dive into the growing global opportunity in autocallable income—an increasingly dominant strategy within structured products, now available through ETFs.
Accepted for 1 CE Credit
