A head-to-head comparison of iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF and Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on IGV.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for its flagship SPDR suite of exchange-traded products that serve both institutional and retail investors across a broad range of asset classes. Their 88-fund lineup spans diverse strategies including sector exposure (Select Sector SPDR), income generation (Income and Select Sector SPDR Premium Income families), commodities (including the widely-held GLD gold ETF), bonds, ESG-focused investments, and thematic allocations, with popular tickers like DIA (Diamonds Trust), FEZ (Eurozone exposure), and JNK (high-yield bonds) among their most recognized funds. The issuer is characterized by its comprehensive coverage across multiple market segments and its emphasis on both traditional index-based products and specialized strategies like covered call income funds and factor-based investing.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on XLK.
Track the Technology Select Sector Index, providing exposure to the information technology constituents of the S&P 500.
Asset class
Equity
Equity
Inception date
07/10/2001
12/16/1998
Beta
1.17
1.43
Last dividend
$0.0170
$0.2280
Ex-dividend date
12/15/2026
09/21/2026
Bottom lineIGV and XLK are nearly interchangeable — both offer very similar technology exposure with very similar cost and risk. The clearest tie-breaker is cost: XLK is cheaper at 0.09% vs 0.41%.
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
IGV has lagged XLK over the trailing twelve months, posting a -14.01% total return against 38.38%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: XLK has compounded at 24.24% a year, against 15.84% for IGV. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of July 16, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Jul 2001” measures every fund from July 17, 2001 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Quick verdict
IGV (iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF) and XLK (Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
XLK offers the higher yield at 0.51% vs 0.02% for IGV. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
XLK is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.09% compared to 0.41%.
XLK is the larger fund by assets ($118B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Who should choose each?
Choose IGV
iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF
Want broad equity exposure.
Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 1.2 vs 1.4 for XLK.
Choose XLK
Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund
Want broad equity exposure.
Want to keep costs low — a 0.09% expense ratio vs 0.41% for IGV.
Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, IGV would generate roughly $0.17/month, while XLK would produce $4.25/month, at current distribution rates.
IGV yield0.02%
XLK yield0.51%
Monthly diff on $10K$4.08
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, IGV would cost approximately $410 in fees vs $90 for XLK (simplified, not compounded). The $320.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
IGV ER0.41%
XLK ER0.09%
Strategy & risk
IGV is an ETF, while XLK tracks Technology Select Sector Index with a technology approach. Beta is 1.17 for IGV and 1.43 for XLK, indicating IGV is less volatile relative to the market.
IGV beta1.17
XLK beta1.43
Fund details
IGV is managed by iShares (launched 07/10/2001) with $15.9B in assets. XLK is managed by State Street (launched 12/16/1998) with $118B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is IGV or XLK better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. XLK currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between IGV and XLK?
IGV (iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF) is an ETF, while XLK (Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund) tracks Technology Select Sector Index with a technology approach. They are issued by iShares and State Street respectively.
Can I hold both IGV and XLK?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Which has lower fees, IGV or XLK?
IGV has an expense ratio of 0.41% while XLK charges 0.09%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in IGV vs XLK generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in IGV would generate roughly $0.17 per month ($2.00 annually). The same in XLK would produce about $4.25 per month ($51.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, IGV or XLK?
IGV has lagged XLK over the trailing twelve months, posting a -14.01% total return against 38.38%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: XLK has compounded at 24.24% a year, against 15.84% for IGV. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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