LIVE
XLE
Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF · ETF - Broad Energy Sector
$53.77
-12.27% this month
VERSUS
⟷
COMPARE
IEO
iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF · ETF - Pure Upstream Oil & Gas E&P
$107.47
-12.62% this month
Scoreboard verdict
Across expense ratio, momentum, yield, fund size, risk
XLE
4
IEO
1
Comparison scoreboard
XLE LEADS 4/5Exp. Ratio
XLE ✓0.08%
IEO 0.38%
1Y Return
XLE ✓+26.01%
IEO +18.65%
Div. Yield
XLE ✓2.65%
IEO 2.06%
AUM
XLE ✓$38.67B
IEO $535.96M
Beta
XLE 0.46
IEO ✓0.44
Metrics last refreshed: 6/22/2026
Quick take
XLE vs IEO Stock Comparison: AI Score, Valuation, Performance and Upside
XLE (Energy Select Sector SPDR) provides broad S&P 500 energy exposure dominated by integrated oil majors ExxonMobil and Chevron at ultra-low cost, while IEO concentrates purely in upstream oil and gas exploration & production companies with higher oil price sensitivity. XLE is the standard energy sector allocation with lower volatility; IEO is the higher-beta pure play on oil price movements.
XLE vs IEO is integrated oil major stability (ExxonMobil and Chevron's diversified operations plus oil services and refining in one cheap ETF) versus pure upstream oil price leverage (E&P companies with maximum commodity sensitivity at higher cost) — defensive energy allocation versus cyclical commodity play.
Live analysis · updated 6/22/2026
XLE holds the edge across 4 of 5 key metrics in this comparison. XLE has delivered stronger 1-year price return (+26.01% vs +18.65% for IEO).
Normalized 1Y performance
XLE
IEO
Recent returns
XLE
IEO
Who should consider this stock?
XLE may suit investors who:
- →Want broad energy sector exposure at ultra-low cost (0.09%) dominated by the largest, most financially stable integrated oil majors that maintained dividends through low-oil price cycles
- →Value the sector diversification within energy — integrated majors, E&P, oil services, and refining provide broader energy cycle coverage than pure upstream exposure
- →Use XLE for sector rotation or defensive positioning — the integrated major weighting provides more financial stability than concentrated E&P exposure during oil price downturns
IEO may suit investors who:
- →Want pure upstream oil and gas price leverage — E&P companies with the highest earnings sensitivity to crude oil and natural gas price increases in a bull commodity cycle
- →Value U.S. shale production growth from EOG Resources, ConocoPhillips, and Devon as a specific investment thesis on efficient U.S. shale operators
- →Accept higher volatility and higher cost (0.40%) in exchange for more direct oil price exposure without the dilution of refining, chemicals, and oil services in integrated oil major-dominated XLE
Performance & AI score
| Metric | XLE | IEO |
|---|---|---|
| ETF score | 74.0 | 43.0 |
| Latest close | $53.77 | $107.47 |
| 1M return | -12.27% | -12.62% |
| 6M return | +21.89% | +19.82% |
| 1Y return | +26.01% | +18.65% |
$10,000 invested — hypothetical growth (dividends reinvested)
How much would $10,000 be worth today if invested at the start of each period, with all dividends reinvested?
| Period | XLE | IEO |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y ago | $13.01K (+30.1%) started 2025-06-18 | $12.15K (+21.5%) started 2025-06-18 |
| 5Y ago | $30.18K (+201.8%) started 2021-06-18 | $27.03K (+170.3%) started 2021-06-18 |
| 10Y ago | $38.7K (+287.0%) started 2016-06-20 | $32K (+220.0%) started 2016-06-20 |
Hypothetical — past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fund characteristics
| Metric | XLE | IEO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense ratio | 0.08% | 0.38% |
| Total assets (AUM) | $38.67B | $535.96M |
| Dividend yield | 2.65% | 2.06% |
| Trailing P/E | 20.09 | 14.89 |
| Beta | 0.46 | 0.44 |
| 52-week change | 26.01% | 18.65% |
Risk & fund metrics
| Metric | XLE | IEO |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y return | +26.01% | +18.65% |
| 6M return | +21.89% | +19.82% |
| 1M return | -12.27% | -12.62% |
| 1Y Sharpe ratio | 1.00 | 0.62 |
| Beta | 0.46 | 0.44 |
| Dividend yield | 2.65% | 2.06% |
| 5Y CAGR | +19.82% | +18.13% |
Drawdown & downside risk
Lower drawdown and smaller single-period drops generally indicate a smoother ride, though they do not guarantee lower future risk.
1Y risk snapshot
XLE max drawdown14.05%
IEO max drawdown16.32%
XLE max wkly drop7.02%
IEO max wkly drop8.61%
5Y risk snapshot
XLE max drawdown26.04%
IEO max drawdown31.46%
XLE max wkly drop18.68%
IEO max wkly drop21.34%
10Y risk snapshot
XLE max drawdown66.81%
IEO max drawdown74.99%
XLE max wkly drop34.55%
IEO max wkly drop42.49%
Performance metrics by period
| Period | Metric | XLE | IEO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | Growth | +26.01% | +18.65% |
| CAGR | +26.03% | +18.66% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.00 | 0.62 | |
| Max drawdown | 14.05% | 16.32% | |
| Max daily drop | 4.12% | 5.26% | |
| Max wkly drop | 7.02% | 8.61% | |
| 5Y | Growth | +146.97% | +129.98% |
| CAGR | +19.82% | +18.13% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.66 | 0.55 | |
| Max drawdown | 26.04% | 31.46% | |
| Max daily drop | 9.20% | 10.19% | |
| Max wkly drop | 18.68% | 21.34% | |
| 10Y | Growth | +137.54% | +141.00% |
| CAGR | +9.04% | +9.20% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.29 | 0.30 | |
| Max drawdown | 66.81% | 74.99% | |
| Max daily drop | 20.14% | 25.92% | |
| Max wkly drop | 34.55% | 42.49% |
Fund overview
| Category | XLE | IEO |
|---|---|---|
| Fund name | State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF |
| Type | ETF | ETF |
| Expense ratio | 0.08% | 0.38% |
| Total assets (AUM) | $38.67B | $535.96M |
| Dividend yield | 2.65% | 2.06% |
XLE strengths
- →Concentrated in the largest, most financially stable energy companies — ExxonMobil and Chevron have investment-grade balance sheets and maintained dividends through low-oil price cycles that stressed smaller producers
- →Low cost (0.09%) and high liquidity make XLE the primary institutional tool for energy sector allocation in U.S. equity portfolios
- →Integrated oil major structure (XOM, CVX) provides internal diversification — upstream production, refining, chemicals, and midstream operations reduce single-commodity exposure versus pure E&P
IEO strengths
- →Pure upstream oil price leverage — E&P companies' earnings are most directly tied to crude oil and natural gas prices, providing maximum commodity upside in energy bull cycles
- →U.S. shale producers in IEO (EOG, ConocoPhillips, Devon) have improved cost structures through the shale revolution — breakeven prices have fallen significantly, making U.S. E&P companies profitable at lower oil prices than historical levels
- →No integration overhead — IEO avoids the capital allocation decisions, refining cycle, and chemical business complexity of integrated oil majors
Risks to watch — XLE
- →ExxonMobil and Chevron alone often represent 40%+ of XLE — concentration in two stocks means XLE performance is heavily determined by these two companies
- →Oil services and refining diversification means XLE has slightly lower pure oil price beta than pure E&P ETFs — investors wanting maximum oil price exposure should consider E&P-focused ETFs
- →Energy transition risk — oil majors are beginning to invest in renewables but remain predominantly fossil fuel businesses subject to long-term secular transition risk
Risks to watch — IEO
- →Higher commodity price risk — E&P companies are more vulnerable in oil price downturns than integrated oil majors with diversified downstream revenue streams
- →Higher expense ratio (0.40%) versus XLE's 0.09% — the concentrated E&P focus costs more per year in management fees
- →Natural gas price exposure — U.S. shale E&P companies produce both oil and natural gas; natural gas price cycles (now partly linked to LNG export demand) add a second commodity risk factor
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