ETFETF

    Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund vs Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund

    XLK / XLF

    Growth-heavy tech vs rate-sensitive financials — sector rotation barometer

    Last updated: February 26, 2026

    XLK is gaining ground against XLF with a price ratio of 2.69. The ratio's z-score of 0.71 is within normal range. The two assets are currently moderately correlated (63-day: 0.38).

    XLK Flow
    27/100Distribution
    XLF Flow
    38/100Distribution

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    Relative Performance

    Price Ratio
    2.69Above 50d average
    50d / 200d SMA: 2.66 / 2.58
    Ratio vs 50d MA
    +0.9%Near average
    Z-Score (200d)
    0.71Normal range
    Ratio RSI (14)
    68Neutral

    The price ratio is currently above its 50-day moving average, indicating XLK has been gaining relative ground recently. The ratio is near its 50-day average, suggesting no significant relative extension. The z-score of 0.71 indicates the ratio is within its normal historical range.

    Performance Comparison

    TimeframeXLKXLFLeader
    10-Day-1.4%-0.5%XLF
    21-Day-4.8%-0.9%XLF
    63-Day+1.0%+1.5%XLF

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

    Correlation

    63-Day Correlation
    0.38Weak positive
    252-Day Correlation
    0.68Moderate positive

    These two assets have a moderate positive long-term correlation of 0.68. The shorter-term correlation has weakened to 0.38, indicating the assets are diverging from their usual relationship — this can present relative-value opportunities.

    Money Flow Comparison

    XLK

    Flow Score
    2727/100
    CMF (20d)
    -0.01Net outflow
    Relative Volume
    0.82×Normal

    XLF

    Flow Score
    3838/100
    CMF (20d)
    0.06Net inflow
    Relative Volume
    1.07×Normal

    XLF has a stronger flow score (38/100 vs 27/100), indicating more consistent accumulation pressure. This is confirmed by Chaikin Money Flow, with XLF showing net inflow (0.06) while XLK shows net outflow (-0.01).

    Trend & Risk

    XLK

    Trend
    31/100Downtrend
    Risk
    67/100Good risk/reward

    XLF

    Trend
    31/100Downtrend
    Risk
    52/100Average
    MetricXLKXLFAdvantage
    Volatility (21d)+27.7%+21.0%XLF
    Max Drawdown (1Y)-22.1%-15.5%XLF
    Beta
    Correlation (63d)0.38

    Both assets show similar trend momentum (31/100 vs 31/100), indicating neither has a clear directional edge. XLK carries a better risk profile (67/100 vs 52/100), with lower overall risk metrics. XLK is 1.3x more volatile than XLF on a 21-day basis (27.7% vs 21.0%), which means larger price swings in either direction. XLK has experienced a deeper maximum drawdown over the past year (22.1% vs 15.5%), indicating higher tail risk.

    Direction Assessment

    XLK

    STRONG

    Uptrend + capital inflow

    WARNING

    Uptrend, weak flow

    EMERGING

    Flow in, no trend yet

    WEAK

    Downtrend + outflow

    Risk Profile67/100

    Good risk/reward

    XLF

    STRONG

    Uptrend + capital inflow

    WARNING

    Uptrend, weak flow

    EMERGING

    Flow in, no trend yet

    WEAK

    Downtrend + outflow

    Risk Profile52/100

    Average

    Putting It Together

    XLK is currently gaining ground against XLF, with the price ratio at 2.69 versus its 50-day average of 2.66. The 200-day z-score of 0.71 is within normal bounds, suggesting XLK may be stretched relative to XLF. On a flow basis, XLF shows stronger capital accumulation (38 vs 27). XLF carries lower short-term volatility (+21.0% vs +27.7% 21-day), with max drawdowns of -22.1% and -15.5% respectively. With a 63-day correlation of 0.38, these assets show moderate co-movement — offering diversification value. Monitor the ratio trend and flow divergence for early signals of a shift in relative leadership.

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