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XLP: Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund returns, drawdowns and risk

Funds on a single sector of the US market: financials, energy, health care, industrials and more.

Data updated October 2026

XLP · US exchange · USDCategory: US sector ETFsData from October 2006

From October 2006 to October 2026 XLP returned 9.2% a year on average with dividends reinvested, in US dollars: $10,000 invested at the start grew to $57,866.

Its deepest fall was 32.4%, from September 2008 to March 2009, and it took about 18 months to get back to the previous high. Annual volatility was 14.5%; at the last close it was 0.6% below its high.

Against SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust), over the 240 months both have data, the correlation of monthly returns was 0.70: they moved together only in part. Beta was 0.57. In months when SPY rose, XLP moved 64% as much on average; in months when SPY fell, 51% as much.

Key figures

Annual return (CAGR)
+9.2%
1-year return
+13.2%
5 years, a year
+7.2%
10 years, a year
+8.3%
Annual volatility
14.5%
Maximum drawdown
−32.4%
Sharpe ratio
0.57
Worst year
2008: −15.0%

Trailing returns

PeriodXLPSPY
1 year+13.2%+16.6%
3 years, a year+12.3%+23.1%
5 years, a year+7.2%+12.7%
10 years, a year+8.3%+15.4%

To the last close of October 2026. Periods longer than a year are annualised.

Growth of $10,000: XLP vs SPY

$25,000$50,000$75,0002007201020132016201920222025
XLP — Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR FundSPY — SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

Month-end values from November 2006, the first month both funds have data.

XLP drawdowns

-30%-20%-10%0%2007201020132016201920222025

Percentage below the previous high, weekly.

Returns by calendar year

YearXLPSPY
2026(partial)+15.1%+13.3%
2025+1.5%+17.7%
2024+12.2%+24.9%
2023−0.8%+26.2%
2022−0.8%−18.2%
2021+17.2%+28.7%
2020+10.1%+18.3%
2019+27.4%+31.2%
2018−8.1%−4.6%
2017+13.0%+21.7%
2016+5.0%+12.0%
2015+6.9%+1.2%
2014+15.7%+13.5%
2013+26.3%+32.3%
2012+10.7%+16.0%
2011+14.1%+1.9%
2010+13.8%+15.1%
2009+14.3%+26.4%
2008−15.0%−36.8%
2007+12.7%+5.1%
2006(partial)+1.8%—

XLP compared

How the figures are calculated

Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.

Sharpe ratio uses the return of short-term government bills in the same currency as the risk-free rate. The growth chart uses month-end values; drawdowns and volatility use daily closes.

Questions

What is the average annual return of XLP?

From October 2006 to October 2026 XLP returned 9.2% a year on average (CAGR) with dividends reinvested, in USD. Over the last 5 years: +7.2% a year. Over the last 12 months: +13.2%.

What was the worst drawdown of XLP?

32.4%, from September 2008 to March 2009; it took about 18 months from the previous high to get back to it.

How volatile is XLP?

Annual volatility was 14.5% over the period. Its worst month was −12.6% and 59% of months were positive. Worst calendar year: 2008 (−15.0%).

How closely does XLP follow SPY?

Over 240 months the correlation of monthly returns was 0.70, so they moved together only in part, with a beta of 0.57.

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Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.