XLC ETF — State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF

State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLC)

Updated October 16, 2026.

XLC is a low-cost ETF that tracks the Communication Services Select Sector Index. its distribution rate is 1.32%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.25%, its expense ratio is 0.08%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 84/100 (Safe). Total return is 139.6% over the past 8.3 years, 74.1 points behind SPY at 213.7%.

State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF is an ETF that tracks the Communication Services Select Sector Index, holding at least 95% of its assets in large-cap U.S. communication services companies across telecommunications, media, entertainment, and interactive media industries. The fund offers a modest current distribution rate paid quarterly, with a very low expense ratio of 0.08%. It appeals to income and core equity investors seeking broad exposure to the communication services sector.

XLC performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 139.6% over the past 8.3 years, 74.1 points behind SPY at 213.7%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is -2.2%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 11.7%.

XLC key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

84 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.11%

Issuer

State Street

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

06/18/2018

Expense ratio

0.08%

Distribution rate

1.32%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

1.25%

Last close

$110.32 (stale; as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$23,505,109,737

Average volume

6684900.0

Dividend

$0.364

Ex-dividend date

09/21/2026

Payment date

09/23/2026

Beta

0.85

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (1.32%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (1.25%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. 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.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: State Street or company page; Index: Communication Services Select Sector 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.

XLC risks and drawbacks

XLC'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. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 11.7%.

Who may consider XLC — and who may not

XLC may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (XLC pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on XLC

• XLC dividend calendar
• XLC dividend history
• All tickers starting with X

Tagged: Communication Services.

Compare XLC

XLC vs similar funds:

• XLC vs XLK

Frequently asked questions

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