SPY vs XLU

SPDR S&P 500 ETF against The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund — live side-by-side technical comparison.

Prices as of 2026-11-09T21:00:00+00:00 UTC · updates daily

Who leads right now

SPY leads 5 of the 7 windows we measure — over 1 month SPY is -3.3% and XLU +5.8%; over year to date SPY is +10.4% and XLU +2.6%. The SPY/XLU price ratio stands at 17.1886, below its 50-day average of 18.3327, and above the 200-day average of 16.5448. A ratio above its own average means SPY is gaining on XLU; on this reading the recent edge belongs to XLU.

SPY/XLU over the last year

SPY/XLU price ratio · dashed: its 50- and 200-day lines · ratio above its 50-day line = SPY gaining on XLU
13.5315.6117.6819.75
Both rebased to 100 on 2025-11-07
96.67100107116SPYXLU
Ask
Compare SPY and XLU: which has been stronger over the last year, and where does each stand against its 200-day average? Ask the analyst about this pair →

Performance side by side

SPYXLU
Price$752.69 $43.79
1 day +2.4%lead +1.5%
5 days +0.1% +0.3%lead
1 month -3.3% +5.8%lead
6 months +2.0%lead -2.1%
Year to date +10.4%lead +2.6%
1 year +12.2%lead -2.4%
2 years +25.8%lead +10.6%
52-week position 81% of range 54% of range
52-week range $629.28–$781.62 $39.03–$47.80
vs 50-day average below $765.35 above $41.79
vs 200-day average above $730.70 below $44.32
RSI (14) 46 64
Next earnings — —

Where each one stands

SPY — SPDR S&P 500 ETF

SPY trades at $752.69, below its 50-day average of $765.35, and above the 200-day at $730.70. It sits at 81% of its 52-week range ($629.28–$781.62); 14-day RSI is 46, in neutral territory; an average session moves it about 1.6%. For levels, the first level overhead is $756.51 (0.5% away) and the first support below is $750.00 (0.4% down). On the checklist the page runs for every asset, 3 of 6 checks read bullish — the lean is bullish.

XLU — The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund

XLU trades at $43.79, above its 50-day average of $41.79, and below the 200-day at $44.32. It sits at 54% of its 52-week range ($39.03–$47.80); 14-day RSI is 64, in neutral territory; an average session moves it about 1.5%. For levels, the first level overhead is $44.32 (1.2% away) and the first support below is $43.18 (1.4% down). On the checklist the page runs for every asset, 4 of 6 checks read bullish — the lean is bullish.

Which one moves harder

Both move about the same amount day to day (1.6% and 1.5% of price), so the same position size carries comparable risk in either.

What would change the picture

The comparison turns on those levels: SPY clearing $756.51 or losing $750.00; XLU clearing $44.32 or losing $43.18. Until one of them gives way, the relative reading above stands.

Questions people ask about SPY vs XLU

Which is performing better right now, SPY or XLU?
Over the past month SPY is -3.3% and XLU is +5.8%, so XLU is ahead on that window. Year to date the figures are +10.4% for SPY and +2.6% for XLU.
Which has done better over the last year, SPY or XLU?
Over the last year SPY is +12.2% and XLU is -2.4%, so SPY is ahead on that window. Over two years it is +25.8% against +10.6%.
Is SPY or XLU more volatile?
Both move about the same amount day to day (1.6% and 1.5% of price), so the same position size carries comparable risk in either.
What are the key levels for SPY and XLU?
SPY: resistance $756.51, support $750.00; XLU: resistance $44.32, support $43.18. Levels come from recent swing zones and round numbers, recomputed daily.
What does the SPY/XLU ratio mean?
It is simply SPY's price divided by XLU's — 17.1886 today. When the ratio rises, SPY is outperforming; when it falls, XLU is. Comparing it to its own 50- and 200-day averages shows whether the current leadership is new or long-standing.

Full technical briefs

SPY →
SPDR S&P 500 ETF
Full technical brief: trend, levels, chart, news
XLU →
The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund
Full technical brief: trend, levels, chart, news

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