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EHC vs XLB: Correlation

Measured on weekly returns over the past three years, Encompass Health Corporation (EHC) and Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB) carry a correlation of 0.48, a moderate link.

Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology

Correlation (3Y)
0.48
moderate
Correlation (1Y)
0.43
last 12 months
Correlation (5Y)
0.45
long-run
Ann. covariance
196.9
%² · weekly, annualized

How correlated are EHC and XLB?

Across a 3-year window, the weekly returns of EHC and XLB correlate at 0.48, moderate. Little has changed lately, as the 1-year reading of 0.43 lands near the 3-year figure. Stretching to 5 years gives 0.45, with an annualized covariance of 196.9 %².

By 3-year correlation, XLB places #5 of the 15 assets tracked against EHC. The last year tells two different stories: XLB led by 20.2 percentage points, -2.6% for EHC against +17.6% for XLB.

How is this computed?

Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.

EHC vs XLB: side by side

EHC (Encompass Health Corporation)XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund)
1-year return-2.6%+17.6%
5-year return+101.2%+36.9%
Volatility (ann.)24.5%16.7%
Beta vs S&P 5000.610.72
Max drawdown (3Y)-26.1%-23.2%
Market cap$11.8B
P/E (trailing)20.2
Dividend yield0.63%1.68%
Expense ratio0.08%
Assets under management$8.3B
Sector / categoryUS ListedSector ETF
Higher yield: XLB 1.68% vs 0.63%Smaller drawdown: XLB -23.2% vs -26.1%Higher 5y return: EHC +101.2% vs +36.9%

XLB is a Natural Resources fund from State Street Investment Management: $8.3B under management, 26 holdings, a 0.08% expense ratio, a 1.68% trailing dividend yield.

-24%0%+19%2025-09-052026-08-27
Price paths over the last 12 months, both indexed to 100 at the start (weekly closes). EHC · XLB

Year-by-year returns

YearEHCXLB
2022+17.0%-12.3%
2023+12.6%+12.5%
2024+39.2%+0.1%
2025+15.7%+9.9%
2026+13.3%+18.3%

Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.

Are EHC and XLB good diversifiers for each other?

A fair diversifier. At 0.48, enough of each asset's movement is its own that the pair has smoothed outcomes historically.

FAQ

What is the correlation between EHC and XLB?

Using weekly returns as of 2026-08-27: 0.48 over 3 years, with 0.43 over the last year and 0.45 over 5 years.

Is XLB a good diversifier for EHC?

A fair diversifier. At 0.48, enough of each asset's movement is its own that the pair has smoothed outcomes historically.

What does a correlation of 0.48 mean?

Correlation ranges from −1 to +1. Values near +1 mean two assets move together, near 0 that they move independently, and negative values that they tend to move in opposite directions. It measures co-movement, not performance.

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EHC vs XLB: 3-year weekly correlation 0.48EHC vs XLB0.48

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Hubs: EHC correlations · XLB correlations