XLE ETF — State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF

State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE)

XLE is a low-cost ETF that tracks the Energy Select Sector Index. As of August 19, 2026, its distribution rate is 2.42%, its trailing-12-month yield is 2.38%, its expense ratio is 0.08%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 92/100 (Safe). Fund total return is 1007.2% over the past 27.7 years, 81.4 points ahead of SPY at 925.8%.

At the current 2.42% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $242 per year, or $20.17 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual quarterly payments vary.

State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF tracks the Energy Select Sector Index, holding the energy sector companies from the S&P 500, including oil, gas, and energy equipment and services businesses. The fund distributes quarterly income at a modest current distribution rate and carries a very low expense ratio of 0.08%. It appeals to income investors seeking broad exposure to the energy sector with minimal fees.

XLE performance versus SPY

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Fund total return is 1007.2% over the past 27.7 years, 81.4 points ahead of SPY at 925.8%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 15.0%.

XLE key facts

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

92 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

2.23%

Issuer

State Street

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

12/16/1998

Expense ratio

0.08%

Distribution rate

2.42%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

2.38%

Last close

$63.68

AUM

$40,479,726,969

Market cap

$10,583,290,880

Average volume

27208598.0

Last dividend

$0.3849

Ex-dividend date

06/22/2026

Payment date

06/24/2026

Beta

-0.08

P/E ratio

21.4657

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (2.42%) 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 (2.38%) 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. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Primary sources: State Street fund page; Index: Energy 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.

XLE risks and drawbacks

XLE'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 15.0%.

Who may consider XLE — and who may not

XLE may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (XLE pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Compare XLE

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Frequently asked questions

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