Dividend comparison
XLK vs SOXX: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF and iShares Semiconductor ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
XLK vs SOXX: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. XLK is cheaper at 0.08% a year versus 0.33% for SOXX. On $10,000 that is $25 a year less in fees.
- Income. XLK pays more income, yielding 0.45% over the last twelve months versus 0.25% for SOXX. That is about $20 more a year on $10,000. XLK pays annual, SOXX pays quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SOXX returned 236.7% versus 142.8% for XLK, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $33,671 in SOXX and $24,275 in XLK.
- Risk. SOXX has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -45.8%, against -33.6% for XLK.
- Diversification. XLK holds 75 positions and SOXX holds 30. The ten largest positions make up 65.2% of XLK and 61.6% of SOXX.
- Overlap. 36% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 18 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. SOXX grew its yearly payout 11.9% a year over the last 4 years, versus 8.7% for XLK.
- Size. XLK is the larger fund with $120.7 billion in assets, against $40.7 billion for SOXX.
Bottom line: XLK fits better if you care most about lower fees, smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. SOXX fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.45% | 0.25% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $0.83 | $1.25 |
| Payout frequency | Annual | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.2207 on Sep 23, 2026 | $0.3251 on Sep 18, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 8.7% over 4 yrs | 11.9% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $185.44 | $500.01 |
| Dividend growth streak | 4 years | 1 year |
| Beta | 1.35 | 2.24 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -33.6% | -45.8% |
| Market cap | $120.98B | $39.35B |
| Exchange | AMEX | NASDAQ |
| Expense ratio | 0.08% | 0.33% |
| Assets under management | $120.70B | $40.71B |
| Number of holdings | 75 | 30 |
| Top 10 concentration | 65.2% | 61.6% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
XLK
$3.75/mo
$45 /yr at 0.45% yield
SOXX
$2.09/mo
$25 /yr at 0.25% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. XLK pays annual; SOXX pays quarterly.
| Year | XLK | SOXX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.7840 | $1.7214 |
| 2024 | $0.7617 | $1.4455 |
| 2023 | $0.7297 | $1.5039 |
| 2022 | $0.6453 | $1.5075 |
| 2021 | $0.5613 | $1.0993 |
Strategy: Sector and thematic
Funds that hold a single industry or theme, such as technology, semiconductors, healthcare or energy. Funds covering the same sector can still differ in concentration rules: some cap the largest positions while others let the biggest companies take a quarter of the fund. Sector funds are usually used to tilt a portfolio rather than as its core.
A single sector can fall far further than the broad market and stay down for years, and the largest names often dominate the fund.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $24,275 in XLK and $33,671 in SOXX.
| Period | XLK | SOXX |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.08% | -6.20% |
| 3 months | 5.66% | -4.54% |
| Year to date | 29.27% | 66.33% |
| 1 year | 29.34% | 71.22% |
| 3 years | 130.27% | 233.45% |
| 5 years | 142.75% | 236.71% |
- XLK
- SOXX
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- XLK
- SOXX
XLK vs SOXX holdings overlap
36% overlap by weight, with 18 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | XLK weight | SOXX weight |
|---|---|---|
| NVDANVIDIA CORP | 15.45% | 7.95% |
| AVGOBROADCOM INC | 4.66% | 7.31% |
| AMDADVANCED MICRO DEVICES | 4.66% | 9.25% |
| MUMICRON TECHNOLOGY INC | 3.92% | 7.64% |
| INTCINTEL CORP | 2.69% | 8.32% |
| LRCXLAM RESEARCH CORP | 1.99% | 3.65% |
| AMATAPPLIED MATERIALS INC | 1.96% | 3.65% |
| TXNTEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC | 1.52% | 4.28% |
| KLACKLA CORP | 1.31% | 3.84% |
| MRVLMARVELL TECHNOLOGY INC | 1.20% | 4.53% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
XLK75 holdings total
Quick verdict
XLK fits better if you care most about lower fees, smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. SOXX fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is XLK or SOXX better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. XLK currently yields 0.45% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SOXX yields 0.25%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between XLK and SOXX?
State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) is an ETF listed on AMEX. iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, XLK or SOXX?
XLK has the lower expense ratio. XLK charges 0.08% a year and SOXX charges 0.33%, a difference of $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, XLK or SOXX?
Over the last 5 years, SOXX has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: XLK returned 142.8% and SOXX returned 236.7%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, XLK or SOXX?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SOXX has been riskier: XLK fell as much as 33.6% and SOXX as much as 45.8%. Their betas are 1.35 and 2.24.
How much do XLK and SOXX overlap?
About 36% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 18 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are NVDA, AVGO, AMD. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do XLK and SOXX pay dividends?
XLK pays annual and SOXX pays quarterly.
How much income does $10,000 in XLK vs SOXX generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in XLK would generate roughly $3.75 per month ($45 annually). The same amount in SOXX would produce about $2.09 per month ($25 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both XLK and SOXX?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare XLK vs SOXX with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how XLK and SOXX fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.