VRSN vs XLK: Correlation
Verisign (VRSN) and Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) show a weak relationship: their 3-year correlation of weekly returns is 0.25.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are VRSN and XLK?
Over the past 3 years, VRSN and XLK moved with a correlation of 0.25, which is weak. The past 12 months show a weaker link (0.07) than the 3-year average (0.25). Over 5 years the correlation is 0.46, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is 136.5 %².
Within VRSN's tracked universe of 29 assets, XLK comes in at #19 by 3-year correlation. Correlation aside, the last 12 months split them widely, with XLK ahead by 33.8 points (+9.6% versus +43.4%). Do not treat this figure as fixed: across three years the rolling one-year correlation ranged all the way from 0.05 to 0.67.
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.
VRSN vs XLK: side by side
| VRSN (Verisign) | XLK (Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +9.6% | +43.4% |
| 5-year return | +38.8% | +145.2% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 23.1% | 24.0% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.50 | 1.50 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -30.2% | -25.7% |
| Market cap | $26.6B | – |
| P/E (trailing) | 31.9 | – |
| Dividend yield | 1.08% | 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 | VRSN | XLK |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -19.1% | -27.7% |
| 2023 | +0.3% | +56.0% |
| 2024 | +0.5% | +21.6% |
| 2025 | +18.4% | +24.6% |
| 2026 | +22.4% | +31.3% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Fund exposure
Keep in mind that XLK holds VRSN at a 0.16% weight, which makes a slice of this correlation mechanical rather than coincidental.
Are VRSN and XLK good diversifiers for each other?
Reasonably. At 0.25, VRSN and XLK keep a meaningful degree of independence, and combining them has historically reduced portfolio volatility.
FAQ
What is the correlation between VRSN and XLK?
The VRSN/XLK correlation stands at 0.25 on a 3-year window (1 year: 0.07, 5 years: 0.46), computed from weekly returns as of 2026-08-27.
Is XLK a good diversifier for VRSN?
Reasonably. At 0.25, VRSN and XLK keep a meaningful degree of independence, and combining them has historically reduced portfolio volatility.
What does a correlation of 0.25 mean?
On the −1 to +1 scale, 0.25 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.
Use this data
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Hubs: VRSN correlations · XLK correlations