XAR ETF — SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF

SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR)

XAR is an ETF that tracks the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. As of September 3, 2026, its distribution rate is 0.10%, its trailing-12-month yield is 0.32%, its expense ratio is 0.35%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 63/100 (Generally safe). Total return is 1085.5% over the past 14.9 years, 322.5 points ahead of SPY at 763.0%.

At the current 0.10% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $10 per year, or $0.83 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual quarterly payments vary.

SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF tracks an equal-weighted index of U.S. aerospace and defense companies through a sampling strategy, holding at least 80% of its assets in index securities. The fund carries a low expense ratio of 0.35% and distributes quarterly at a modest rate. It appeals to investors seeking broad exposure to the aerospace and defense sector with a passive, index-tracking approach.

XAR performance versus SPY

Data as of September 3, 2026.

Total return is 1085.5% over the past 14.9 years, 322.5 points ahead of SPY at 763.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 17.2%.

XAR key facts

Data as of September 3, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

63 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.06%

Issuer

State Street

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

09/28/2011

Expense ratio

0.35%

Distribution rate

0.10%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

0.32%

Last close

$253.93

NAV

$250.10

Premium / discount

1.53% premium

AUM

$5,737,047,685

Average volume

216805.0

Last dividend

$0.062

Last ex-dividend date

06/22/2026

Last payment date

06/24/2026

Beta

1.3

P/E ratio

33.4653

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (0.10%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (0.32%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of September 3, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of September 3, 2026.

Primary sources: State Street; Index: S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

XAR risks and drawbacks

XAR's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 17.2%.

Who may consider XAR — and who may not

It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (XAR pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Compare XAR

XAR vs similar funds:

• XAR vs XSPC

Frequently asked questions

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