Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.
IYE has lagged XLE over the trailing twelve months, posting a 61.70% total return against 64.60%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: XLE has compounded at 11.36% a year, against 10.16% for IYE. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 16, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Jun 2000” measures every fund from June 16, 2000 — the start of shared available history — 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.
Side-by-side snapshot
Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric;
each column is one fund.
Bottom lineIYE and XLE are both for investors who want broad equity exposure — so strategy isn't the deciding factor here. Cost is: XLE charges 0.08% against 0.37% for IYE, and between two funds this similar that gap comes straight out of your return every year you hold.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
iShares, operated by BlackRock, is one of the largest and most established ETF providers globally, known for offering broad, liquid index-tracking funds across nearly all asset classes and investment styles. The lineup encompasses a comprehensive range of strategies including core equity and bond exposure, dividend and income-focused funds, covered call strategies, ESG and thematic investments, factor-based approaches, alternatives, commodities, and municipal bonds, serving both individual and institutional investors. With numerous popular ticker symbols and extensive diversification across geographies, sectors, and investment objectives, iShares provides one of the market's widest selections of ETFs for building diversified portfolios.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on IYE.
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 XLE.
IYE (iShares U.S. Energy ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
XLE offers the higher yield at 2.23% vs 2.20% for IYE. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
XLE is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.08% compared to 0.37%.
They have different reference exposures: IYE is linked to Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index while XLE is linked to Energy Select Sector Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
XLE is the larger fund by assets ($44.8B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.
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On a $10,000 investment, IYE would generate roughly $55.00 cash per distribution, while XLE would produce $55.75 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
IYE yield2.20%
XLE yield2.23%
Cash diff on $10K$0.75
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, IYE would cost approximately $370 in fees vs $80 for XLE (simplified, not compounded). The $290.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
IYE ER0.37%
XLE ER0.08%
Strategy & risk
IYE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index with an oil approach.
IYE beta-0.01
XLE beta-0.03
Fund details
IYE is managed by iShares (launched 06/12/2000) with $1.73B in assets. XLE is managed by State Street (launched 12/16/1998) with $44.8B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the current distribution rate for IYE and XLE?
IYE currently distributes 2.20% and XLE 2.23%, based on fund data updated October 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.
Is IYE or XLE better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. XLE 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 IYE and XLE?
IYE (iShares U.S. Energy ETF) tracks Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index, while XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) tracks Energy Select Sector Index with an oil approach. They are issued by iShares and State Street respectively.
Can I hold both IYE and XLE?
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.
Is IYE or XLE safer?
By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — XLE scores 91, IYE scores 85, so XLE's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.
Which has lower fees, IYE or XLE?
IYE has an expense ratio of 0.37% while XLE charges 0.08%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in IYE vs XLE generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in IYE would generate roughly $55.00 cash per distribution ($220.00 annually). The same in XLE would produce about $55.75 cash per distribution ($223.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, IYE or XLE?
IYE has lagged XLE over the trailing twelve months, posting a 61.70% total return against 64.60%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: XLE has compounded at 11.36% a year, against 10.16% for IYE. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Explore related screeners
Lateral filters that include these funds — browse the full peer set on DividendVision.
IYE and XLE are both energy sector ETFs tracking different oil and gas indexes, but they differ significantly in size, fees, and index construction. IYE tracks the Dow Jones U.S. XLE is roughly 24 times larger by assets and charges nearly one-fifth the expense ratio, making it the dominant vehicle for broad energy exposure. That gap compounds over decades. Both pay quarterly distributions with nearly identical yields—2.20% for IYE and 2.23% for XLE—so income generation is a wash. The two indexes differ in composition and weighting methodology; the Dow Jones Oil & Gas Index and the Energy Select Sector Index capture overlapping but distinct universes of energy stocks, so holdings will not be identical.
Who each is best for
IYE: Fits investors drawn to the specific Dow Jones Oil & Gas Index methodology or those with an existing iShares-heavy portfolio who value index consistency.
XLE: Designed for investors seeking low-cost, liquid exposure to broad U.S. energy sector stocks, particularly those building a core equity position or rebalancing frequently.
Key risks to know
Energy commodity-price sensitivity. Both ETFs carry direct exposure to oil and natural gas price swings; downturns in crude markets can drive sharp NAV declines regardless of the index chosen.
Sector concentration. Holding either fund concentrates portfolios into a single cyclical sector; energy stocks move together during downturns, offering limited diversification benefit on their own.
Index-construction drift.IYE and XLE track different indexes with different methodologies and rebalance schedules, so their performance will diverge over time even within the same energy universe; verify that your intended index aligns with your thesis.
Beta reporting gaps.XLE reports a beta of -0.03, while IYE's beta is not reported; comparing their systematic risk profiles requires additional research beyond these snapshots. If you favor Dow Jones index methodology or have conviction in IYE's specific energy universe, the 0.29% percentage-point fee drag is a real tradeoff to weigh. Past performance does not predict future results, and energy valuations remain highly sensitive to oil price forecasts and geopolitical risk.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.
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