XLU ETF — State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF

State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU)

Updated October 12, 2026.

XLU is a low-cost ETF that tracks the Utilities Select Sector Index. its distribution rate is 2.97%, its trailing-12-month yield is 2.91%, its expense ratio is 0.08%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 96/100 (Safe). Total return is 632.9% over the past 27.8 years, 309.7 points behind SPY at 942.6%.

This ETF tracks the Utilities Select Sector Index through a replication strategy, holding substantially all of the index securities across electric utilities, water utilities, multi-utilities, independent power producers, renewable electricity producers, and gas utilities. It carries a low expense ratio of 0.08% and distributes income quarterly at a modest current distribution rate. The fund appeals to income-focused investors seeking broad exposure to the utilities sector.

XLU performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-12.

Total return is 632.9% over the past 27.8 years, 309.7 points behind SPY at 942.6%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is -5.1%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 16.0%.

XLU key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

96 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

2.85%

Issuer

State Street

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

12/16/1998

Expense ratio

0.08%

Distribution rate

2.97%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

2.91%

Last close

$41.63 (stale; as of 2026-10-12)

AUM

$24,095,139,793

Market cap

$7,541,625,856

Average volume

16544305.0

Dividend

$0.30

Ex-dividend date

09/21/2026

Payment date

09/23/2026

Beta

0.4

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (2.97%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (2.91%) 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: Utilities 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.

XLU risks and drawbacks

XLU'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 16.0%.

Who may consider XLU — and who may not

XLU 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 (XLU 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 XLU

XLU vs similar funds:

• XLU vs VPU

Frequently asked questions

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