GEN vs XLK: Correlation
How closely do Gen Digital (GEN) and Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) trade together? Their weekly returns over three years give a correlation of 0.41, which is moderate.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are GEN and XLK?
On 3 years of weekly data the GEN/XLK correlation comes out at 0.41, moderate. The relationship has been stable: the 1-year correlation (0.35) sits close to the 3-year figure. The 5-year figure is 0.40, and annualized covariance runs at 310.6 %².
By 3-year correlation, XLK places #24 of the 36 assets tracked against GEN. Correlation aside, the last 12 months split them widely, with XLK ahead by 42.2 points (+1.2% versus +43.4%). On a rolling one-year basis the correlation drifted between 0.30 and 0.56, a moderate band.
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.
GEN vs XLK: side by side
| GEN (Gen Digital) | XLK (Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +1.2% | +43.4% |
| 5-year return | +26.3% | +145.2% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 31.7% | 24.0% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 1.02 | 1.50 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -43.6% | -25.7% |
| Market cap | $18.3B | – |
| P/E (trailing) | 17.3 | – |
| Dividend yield | 1.69% | 0.45% |
| Expense ratio | – | 0.08% |
| Assets under management | – | $115.4B |
| Sector / category | Information Technology | Sector ETF |
On the fund side, XLK sits in the Technology category at State Street Investment Management, with $115.4B under management, 73 holdings, a 0.08% expense ratio, a 0.45% trailing dividend yield.
Year-by-year returns
| Year | GEN | XLK |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -15.8% | -27.7% |
| 2023 | +9.3% | +56.0% |
| 2024 | +22.4% | +21.6% |
| 2025 | +1.1% | +24.6% |
| 2026 | +13.9% | +31.3% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Fund exposure
GEN represents 0.11% of XLK's portfolio, so part of any move in XLK is GEN itself, and the correlation between them is partly mechanical.
Are GEN and XLK good diversifiers for each other?
Yes, to a useful degree: a correlation of 0.41 leaves real independence between the two, which historically damped combined volatility.
FAQ
What is the correlation between GEN and XLK?
Using weekly returns as of 2026-08-27: 0.41 over 3 years, with 0.35 over the last year and 0.40 over 5 years.
Is XLK a good diversifier for GEN?
Yes, to a useful degree: a correlation of 0.41 leaves real independence between the two, which historically damped combined volatility.
What does a correlation of 0.41 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.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/gen-vs-xlk.json
Markdown for the live badge, attribution link included:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/gen-vs-xlk/)
The core API is free. Terms and every endpoint in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: GEN correlations · XLK correlations
