XLC ETF — State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF
State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLC)
XLC is a low-cost ETF that tracks the Communication Services Select Sector Index. As of September 3, 2026, its distribution rate is 1.00%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.26%, its expense ratio is 0.08%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 86/100 (Safe). Total return is 145.4% over the past 8.2 years, 71.6 points behind SPY at 217.0%.
At the current 1.00% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $100 per year, or $8.33 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual quarterly payments vary.
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 dividend yield and income
Data as of September 3, 2026.
The distribution rate (1.00%) is the latest posted forward yield, paid quarterly. Trailing-12-month yield (1.26%) is the last year of payments divided by the current price. The last dividend was $0.284. The last ex-dividend date was 06/22/2026. It was paid on 06/24/2026. At 1.00%, $10,000 would generate about $100 a year ($8.33 monthly-equivalent).
| Ex-date | Amount | Change from previous payment |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-22 | $0.284 | -20.4% |
| 2026-03-23 | $0.357 | -5.1% |
| 2025-12-22 | $0.376 | -9.4% |
| 2025-09-22 | $0.415 | 66.7% |
| 2025-06-23 | $0.249 | -13.5% |
| 2025-03-24 | $0.288 | 13.4% |
| 2024-12-23 | $0.254 | -5.6% |
| 2024-09-23 | $0.269 | 20.1% |
| 2024-06-24 | $0.224 | 4.7% |
| 2024-03-18 | $0.214 | 23.0% |
| 2023-12-18 | $0.174 | 3.6% |
| 2023-09-18 | $0.168 | 60.0% |
| 2023-06-20 | $0.105 | -30.0% |
| 2023-03-20 | $0.15 | 27.1% |
| 2022-12-19 | $0.118 | 7.3% |
| 2022-09-19 | $0.11 | -15.4% |
| 2022-06-21 | $0.13 | -24.9% |
| 2022-03-21 | $0.173 | 10.2% |
| 2021-12-20 | $0.157 | 10.6% |
| 2021-09-20 | $0.142 | 0.7% |
| 2021-06-21 | $0.141 | 6.0% |
| 2021-03-22 | $0.133 | 24.3% |
| 2020-12-21 | $0.107 | -13.7% |
| 2020-09-21 | $0.124 | 10.7% |
| 2020-06-22 | $0.112 | -0.9% |
| 2020-03-23 | $0.113 | -3.4% |
| 2019-12-20 | $0.117 | -1.7% |
| 2019-09-20 | $0.119 | 0.8% |
| 2019-06-21 | $0.118 | 42.2% |
| 2019-03-15 | $0.083 | -38.1% |
| 2018-12-21 | $0.134 | 1.5% |
| 2018-09-21 | $0.132 | — |
| 2018 total (partial launch year) | $0.266 | — |
| 2019 total | $0.437 | — |
| 2020 total | $0.456 | 4.3% |
| 2021 total | $0.573 | 25.7% |
| 2022 total | $0.531 | -7.3% |
| 2023 total | $0.597 | 12.4% |
| 2024 total | $0.961 | 61.0% |
| 2025 total | $1.328 | 38.2% |
| 2026 YTD total | $0.641 | 19.4% vs prior-year YTD |
XLC dividend growth
Trailing-12-month distributions versus the preceding 12 months changed +35.1%. The 1Y row below uses this same adjacent TTM cash-window comparison. The deepest trailing-12-month payout decline in the past five years is -23.75%.
| Window | Change |
|---|---|
| 1Y | +35.1% |
| 3Y | 196.5% |
| 5Y | 183.6% |
XLC holdings and sector exposure
Holdings are not available for this snapshot.
XLC performance versus SPY
Data as of September 3, 2026.
Total return is 145.4% over the past 8.2 years, 71.6 points behind SPY at 217.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 11.7%.
| Window | Total return | CAGR |
|---|---|---|
| Since inception (8.2 years) | 145.4% | 11.60% |
| 3Y CAGR | — | 20.40% |
| 5Y CAGR | — | 6.90% |
XLC key facts
Data as of September 3, 2026.
- Distribution Safety Score™
- 86 · Safe
- Safety-Adjusted Yield
- 0.86%
- Issuer
- State Street
- Asset type
- ETF
- Asset class
- Equity
- Inception date
- 06/18/2018
- Expense ratio
- 0.08%
- Distribution rate
- 1.00%
- Distribution frequency
- Quarterly
- Trailing yield
- 1.26%
- Last close
- $113.38
- NAV
- $112.41
- Premium / discount
- 0.86% premium
- AUM
- $22,430,177,229
- Average volume
- 3366972.0
- Last dividend
- $0.284
- Last ex-dividend date
- 06/22/2026
- Last payment date
- 06/24/2026
- Beta
- 0.84
- P/E ratio
- 15.6424
How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns
Distribution rate (1.00%) 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 (1.26%) 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 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.
Compare XLC
XLC vs similar funds:
Frequently asked questions
Does XLC pay monthly?
No. XLC currently pays quarterly, not monthly.
What index does XLC track?
XLC tracks the Communication Services Select Sector Index.
What is XLC's expense ratio?
XLC's expense ratio is 0.08%.
What is XLC's dividend yield?
XLC currently yields 1.00%, paid quarterly, with a 0.08% expense ratio.
How has XLC's dividend grown?
Trailing-12-month distributions versus the preceding 12 months changed +35.1%. That is the same adjacent TTM cash-window comparison used in the dividend-history table.
When does XLC pay a dividend?
XLC pays quarterly. The last dividend was $0.284. The last ex-dividend date was 06/22/2026. It was paid on 06/24/2026.
How has XLC performed?
Total return is 145.4% over the past 8.2 years, 71.6 points behind SPY at 217.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 11.7%.
Is XLC a good investment?
XLC's Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score is 86 (Safe). That is a risk signal, not investment advice. It currently yields 1.00%. Compare peers below rather than treating any single figure as a buy or sell.
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