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PRI vs XLF: Correlation

How closely do Primerica, Inc. (PRI) and Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) trade together? Their weekly returns over three years give a correlation of 0.70, which is strong.

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

Correlation (3Y)
0.70
strong
Correlation (1Y)
0.59
last 12 months
Correlation (5Y)
0.66
long-run
Ann. covariance
244.8
%² · weekly, annualized

How correlated are PRI and XLF?

Over the past 3 years, PRI and XLF moved with a correlation of 0.70, which is strong. The past 12 months show a weaker link (0.59) than the 3-year average (0.70). Over 5 years the correlation is 0.66, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is 244.8 %².

Few assets follow PRI as closely as XLF, which ranks #1 of 14 tracked partners. Their 12-month results are close: +9.9% for PRI against +9.3% for XLF.

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.

PRI vs XLF: side by side

PRI (Primerica, Inc.)XLF (Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund)
1-year return+9.9%+9.3%
5-year return+105.4%+64.2%
Volatility (ann.)21.7%16.2%
Beta vs S&P 5000.770.84
Max drawdown (3Y)-19.6%-15.5%
Market cap$9.0B
P/E (trailing)11.7
Dividend yield1.54%1.42%
Expense ratio0.08%
Assets under management$57.9B
Sector / categoryUS ListedSector ETF
Higher yield: PRI 1.54% vs 1.42%Smaller drawdown: XLF -15.5% vs -19.6%Higher 5y return: PRI +105.4% vs +64.2%

XLF is a Financial fund from State Street Investment Management: $57.9B under management, 77 holdings, a 0.08% expense ratio, a 1.42% trailing dividend yield.

-9%0%+19%2025-09-052026-08-27
Price paths over the last 12 months, both indexed to 100 at the start (weekly closes). PRI · XLF

Year-by-year returns

YearPRIXLF
2022-5.9%-10.6%
2023+47.1%+12.0%
2024+33.6%+30.6%
2025-3.3%+14.9%
2026+14.3%+6.6%

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

Are PRI and XLF good diversifiers for each other?

Somewhat, no more. With 0.70 correlation, most large moves hit both names, and the diversification benefit stays modest.

FAQ

What is the correlation between PRI and XLF?

Using weekly returns as of 2026-08-27: 0.70 over 3 years, with 0.59 over the last year and 0.66 over 5 years.

Is XLF a good diversifier for PRI?

Somewhat, no more. With 0.70 correlation, most large moves hit both names, and the diversification benefit stays modest.

What does a correlation of 0.70 mean?

On the −1 to +1 scale, 0.70 describes how much the two returns move together: +1 is lockstep, 0 is independence, negative values mean opposite directions. It says nothing about which performed better.

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PRI vs XLF: 3-year weekly correlation 0.70PRI vs XLF0.70

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Hubs: PRI correlations · XLF correlations