ETFETF

    Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund vs Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund

    XLY / XLP

    Consumer discretionary vs staples — a read on consumer confidence

    Last updated: February 26, 2026

    XLY is losing ground against XLP with a price ratio of 1.32. The ratio's z-score of -1.46 is notably extended. The two assets are currently showing low correlation (63-day: 0.10).

    XLY Flow
    38/100Distribution
    XLP Flow
    85/100Strong Accumulation

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    Relative Performance

    Price Ratio
    1.32Below 50d average
    50d / 200d SMA: 1.46 / 1.45
    Ratio vs 50d MA
    -9.6%Extended
    Z-Score (200d)
    -1.46Notable deviation
    Ratio RSI (14)
    41Neutral

    The price ratio is currently below its 50-day moving average, indicating XLP has been gaining relative ground recently. The ratio is extended at -9.6% from its 50-day average, suggesting the relative move may be overdue for a pullback. The z-score of -1.46 shows a notable deviation from the long-term average.

    Performance Comparison

    TimeframeXLYXLPLeader
    10-Day-0.6%+0.5%XLP
    21-Day-4.6%+6.9%XLP
    63-Day+2.6%+16.3%XLP

    Performance is mixed across timeframes, with no clear consistent leader between XLY and XLP. Watch for a breakout in relative momentum.

    Correlation

    63-Day Correlation
    0.10Near zero — independent
    252-Day Correlation
    0.33Weak positive

    These two assets have a weak positive long-term correlation of 0.33. The shorter-term correlation has weakened to 0.10, indicating the assets are diverging from their usual relationship — this can present relative-value opportunities.

    Money Flow Comparison

    XLY

    Flow Score
    3838/100
    CMF (20d)
    0.08Net inflow
    Relative Volume
    0.79×Below average

    XLP

    Flow Score
    8585/100
    CMF (20d)
    0.20Net inflow
    Relative Volume
    0.65×Below average

    XLP has a stronger flow score (85/100 vs 38/100), indicating more consistent accumulation pressure. Both assets show net inflow via Chaikin Money Flow (XLP: 0.20, XLY: 0.08), though XLP leads on overall flow score. Both assets are trading on below-average volume, which means current flow readings should be interpreted with caution.

    Trend & Risk

    XLY

    Trend
    31/100Downtrend
    Risk
    53/100Average

    XLP

    Trend
    89/100Strong Uptrend
    Risk
    60/100Good risk/reward
    MetricXLYXLPAdvantage
    Volatility (21d)+15.1%+14.9%XLP
    Max Drawdown (1Y)-18.1%-8.5%XLP
    Beta
    Correlation (63d)0.10

    XLP has significantly stronger trend momentum (89/100 vs 31/100), suggesting it is in a more favourable technical position. Risk profiles are comparable (53/100 vs 60/100). Both assets show similar short-term volatility levels. XLY has experienced a deeper maximum drawdown over the past year (18.1% vs 8.5%), indicating higher tail risk. Their low short-term correlation (0.10) means these risk profiles are relatively independent, offering potential diversification benefit.

    Direction Assessment

    XLY

    STRONG

    Uptrend + capital inflow

    WARNING

    Uptrend, weak flow

    EMERGING

    Flow in, no trend yet

    WEAK

    Downtrend + outflow

    Risk Profile53/100

    Average

    XLP

    STRONG

    Uptrend + capital inflow

    WARNING

    Uptrend, weak flow

    EMERGING

    Flow in, no trend yet

    WEAK

    Downtrend + outflow

    Risk Profile60/100

    Good risk/reward

    Putting It Together

    XLY is currently losing ground against XLP, with the price ratio at 1.32 versus its 50-day average of 1.46. The 200-day z-score of -1.46 is notably extended, suggesting XLP may be stretched relative to XLY. On a flow basis, XLP shows stronger capital accumulation (85 vs 38). XLP carries lower short-term volatility (+14.9% vs +15.1% 21-day), with max drawdowns of -18.1% and -8.5% respectively. With a 63-day correlation of 0.10, these assets move largely independently — offering diversification value. Monitor the ratio trend and flow divergence for early signals of a shift in relative leadership.

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