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WPC vs XLRE: Correlation

Measured on weekly returns over the past three years, W. P. Carey Inc. REIT (WPC) and Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) carry a correlation of 0.71, a strong link.

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

Correlation (3Y)
0.71
strong
Correlation (1Y)
0.80
last 12 months
Correlation (5Y)
0.69
long-run
Ann. covariance
248.7
%² · weekly, annualized

How correlated are WPC and XLRE?

Across a 3-year window, the weekly returns of WPC and XLRE correlate at 0.71, strong. Little has changed lately, as the 1-year reading of 0.80 lands near the 3-year figure. Stretching to 5 years gives 0.69, with an annualized covariance of 248.7 %².

By 3-year correlation, XLRE places #5 of the 20 assets tracked against WPC. Neither side won the trailing year by much: +11.2% against +9.5%.

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.

WPC vs XLRE: side by side

WPC (W. P. Carey Inc. REIT)XLRE (Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund)
1-year return+11.2%+9.5%
5-year return+23.0%+11.4%
Volatility (ann.)20.9%16.7%
Beta vs S&P 5000.300.57
Max drawdown (3Y)-19.6%-16.6%
Market cap$16.0B
P/E (trailing)24.4
Dividend yield5.20%3.12%
Expense ratio0.08%
Assets under management$8.6B
Sector / categoryUS ListedSector ETF
Higher yield: WPC 5.20% vs 3.12%Smaller drawdown: XLRE -16.6% vs -19.6%Higher 5y return: WPC +23.0% vs +11.4%

On the fund side, XLRE sits in the Real Estate category at State Street Investment Management, with $8.6B under management, 31 holdings, a 0.08% expense ratio, a 3.12% trailing dividend yield.

-4%0%+19%2025-09-052026-08-27
Twelve months of weekly closes, each series rebased to 100. WPC · XLRE

Year-by-year returns

YearWPCXLRE
2022+0.5%-26.2%
2023-9.9%+12.4%
2024-10.6%+5.1%
2025+25.0%+2.6%
2026+12.3%+12.4%

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

Are WPC and XLRE good diversifiers for each other?

To a limited degree. At 0.71 the two still catch most of the same waves, so the pair smooths returns a little without insulating either from a shared selloff.

FAQ

What is the correlation between WPC and XLRE?

Using weekly returns as of 2026-08-27: 0.71 over 3 years, with 0.80 over the last year and 0.69 over 5 years.

Is XLRE a good diversifier for WPC?

To a limited degree. At 0.71 the two still catch most of the same waves, so the pair smooths returns a little without insulating either from a shared selloff.

What does a correlation of 0.71 mean?

A reading of 0.71 sits on a scale from −1 (opposite moves) through 0 (unrelated) to +1 (identical moves). Correlation captures direction, not magnitude or performance.

Use this data

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WPC vs XLRE: 3-year weekly correlation 0.71WPC vs XLRE0.71

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Related comparisons

Hubs: WPC correlations · XLRE correlations