Energy (XLE) vs Industrials (XLI)
XLE (Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund) and XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both cyclical sectors but with different macro drivers. XLE leveraged to oil/commodity prices.
Also known as: Energy (XLE) (ETF_XLE, energy sector) · Industrials (XLI) (ETF_XLI, industrials)
Why This Comparison Matters
XLE (Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund) and XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both cyclical sectors but with different macro drivers. XLE leveraged to oil/commodity prices. XLI leveraged to capex cycle (defense, infrastructure, AI data center construction). April 2026: WTI $95.85 (Iran war); XLI ~$130 (defense + AI capex tailwind). Both rallying on different catalysts. XLE on inflation regime; XLI on capex cycle expansion. The pair captures commodity vs capex cyclicality.
The April 2026 Configuration
XLE near 52-week highs (estimated +20-25% YTD on Iran war). WTI $95.85 (April 2026). XLI ~$130 (defense + AI data center capex). XLE/XLI ratio approximately 0.65 (estimated, varies historically).
Both sectors rallying. XLE on Iran war oil shock. XLI on defense capex (NATO 2.5-3% GDP target) + AI data center construction (CAT, HON, JCI) + GE Aerospace recovery (+50% past 12 months).
The combined April 2026 reading: dual cyclical catalysts. Both sectors elevated.
Commodity vs Capex Cyclicality
XLE primarily commodity-driven. WTI/Brent direct sensitivity. Refining margins. Inflation regime hedge.
XLI primarily capex-driven. Business investment + defense + infrastructure. Aerospace recovery. AI data center construction.
Different drivers. XLE can rally without industrial capex. XLI can rally without commodity prices. April 2026: both active simultaneously.
How XLE and XLI Diverge
XLE > XLI: commodity-driven cycle. Inflation regime + supply shocks. 2007-2008, 2022 Russia, 2026 Iran war.
XLI > XLE: capex-driven cycle. Defense, infrastructure, AI capex. 2017-2018, 2024 ramp.
Both rally: dual catalysts (current 2026).
Both fall: recession.
Long-run correlation 0.50-0.70 (positive cyclical).
How the Pair Performs Through Cycles
2007-2008 commodity supercycle: XLE +60% (commodity); XLI +20%. XLE led.
2009-2014 disinflation: XLE -20%; XLI +200%. XLI led (capex recovery).
2014-2016 oil collapse: XLE -45%; XLI +30%. XLI outperformed.
2017-2018 capex bull: XLE -10%; XLI +30%. XLI led.
2020 COVID: XLE -60%; XLI -38%. Both fell.
2021-2022 inflation surge: XLE +200%; XLI +20%. XLE led dramatically.
2023-2024 capex recovery + AI: XLE +5%; XLI +20%. XLI led.
Conditional Forward Response (Tail Events)
How Industrials (XLI) has historically behaved in the 5 sessions following a top-decile or bottom-decile daily move in Energy (XLE). Computed from 1,289 aligned daily observations ending .
Following these triggers, Industrials (XLI) falls 0.06% on average over the next 5 sessions, versus an unconditional baseline of +0.24%. 129 qualifying events; Industrials (XLI) closed positive in 51% of them.
90-Day Statistics
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are XLE and XLI?+
XLE (Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund) tracks energy sector with top weights ExxonMobil ~22%, Chevron ~15%, ConocoPhillips ~7%. XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) tracks industrial sector with top weights GE Aerospace ~5%, Caterpillar ~5%, RTX ~4%, Boeing ~4%, Honeywell ~4%. April 2026: WTI $95.85 (Iran war); XLE near 52-week highs (estimated +20-25% YTD); XLI ~$130 (defense + AI data center capex). XLE/XLI ratio ~0.65. Both sectors rallying. XLE on Iran war oil shock. XLI on defense capex (NATO 2.5-3% GDP target) + AI data center construction (CAT, HON, JCI) + GE Aerospace recovery (+50% past 12 months).
How do commodity and capex cyclicality differ?+
XLE primarily commodity-driven. WTI/Brent direct sensitivity. Refining margins. Inflation regime hedge. XLI primarily capex-driven. Business investment + defense + infrastructure. Aerospace recovery. AI data center construction. Different drivers. XLE can rally without industrial capex. XLI can rally without commodity prices. April 2026: both active simultaneously.
How do XLE and XLI diverge?+
XLE > XLI: commodity-driven cycle. Inflation regime + supply shocks. 2007-2008, 2022 Russia, 2026 Iran war. XLI > XLE: capex-driven cycle. Defense, infrastructure, AI capex. 2017-2018, 2024 ramp. Both rally: dual catalysts (current 2026). Both fall: recession. Long-run correlation 0.50-0.70 (positive cyclical).
How does the pair perform through cycles?+
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Data sourced from FRED, CoinGecko, CBOE, and other providers. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.