Dividend comparison
XLP vs FSTA: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF and Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
XLP vs FSTA: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. Both charge about 0.08% a year, so cost is not what separates them.
- Income. XLP pays more income, yielding 2.50% over the last twelve months versus 2.13% for FSTA. That is about $37 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, FSTA returned 40.8% versus 37.6% for XLP, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $14,077 in FSTA and $13,765 in XLP.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -16.3% for XLP and -17.1% for FSTA from peak to trough.
- Diversification. FSTA holds 104 positions and XLP holds 35. The ten largest positions make up 63.1% of XLP and 65.3% of FSTA.
- Overlap. 77% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 35 shared holdings. Owning both adds little diversification.
- Dividend growth. XLP grew its yearly payout 5.1% a year over the last 4 years, versus 3.5% for FSTA.
- Size. XLP is the larger fund with $14.7 billion in assets, against $1.4 billion for FSTA.
Bottom line: XLP fits better if you care most about more income today and faster dividend growth. FSTA fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and broader diversification. With 77% overlap, most investors would hold one or the other rather than both.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF | FSTA Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.50% | 2.13% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $2.20 | $1.18 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.5406 on Sep 23, 2026 | $0.2910 on Sep 22, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 5.1% over 4 yrs | 3.5% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $87.75 | $55.38 |
| Dividend growth streak | — | 2 years |
| Beta | 0.48 | 0.50 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -16.3% | -17.1% |
| Market cap | $14.71B | $1.36B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| Assets under management | $14.72B | $1.36B |
| Number of holdings | 35 | 104 |
| Top 10 concentration | 63.1% | 65.3% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
XLP
$20.86/mo
$250 /yr at 2.50% yield
FSTA
$17.74/mo
$213 /yr at 2.13% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. XLP pays quarterly; FSTA pays quarterly.
| Year | XLP | FSTA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.1388 | $1.1510 |
| 2024 | $2.1755 | $1.2070 |
| 2023 | $1.8924 | $1.0890 |
| 2022 | $1.8413 | $1.0130 |
| 2021 | $1.7543 | $1.0030 |
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 $13,765 in XLP and $14,077 in FSTA.
| Period | XLP | FSTA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 5.98% | 6.81% |
| 3 months | 3.01% | 3.24% |
| Year to date | 12.96% | 12.58% |
| 1 year | 10.16% | 9.27% |
| 3 years | 37.71% | 40.03% |
| 5 years | 37.65% | 40.77% |
- XLP
- FSTA
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.
- XLP
- FSTA
XLP vs FSTA holdings overlap
77% overlap by weight, with 35 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 | XLP weight | FSTA weight |
|---|---|---|
| WMTWALMART INC | 10.97% | 14.23% |
| COSTCOSTCO WHOLESALE CORP | 9.15% | 11.92% |
| PGPROCTER + GAMBLE CO/THE | 7.60% | 9.73% |
| KOCOCA COLA CO/THE | 7.50% | 9.55% |
| PMPHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL | 6.50% | 4.38% |
| PEPPEPSICO INC | 4.09% | 4.39% |
| MOALTRIA GROUP INC | 4.57% | 3.90% |
| MDLZMONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL INC A | 4.25% | 2.61% |
| CLCOLGATE PALMOLIVE CO | 4.41% | 2.30% |
| TGTTARGET CORP | 4.07% | 2.25% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
XLP35 holdings total
Quick verdict
XLP fits better if you care most about more income today and faster dividend growth. FSTA fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and broader diversification. With 77% overlap, most investors would hold one or the other rather than both. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how XLP vs FSTA fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is XLP or FSTA better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. XLP currently yields 2.50% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while FSTA yields 2.13%. 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 XLP and FSTA?
State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, XLP or FSTA?
They cost about the same: XLP charges 0.08% a year and FSTA charges 0.08%.
Which has performed better, XLP or FSTA?
Over the last 5 years, FSTA has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: XLP returned 37.6% and FSTA returned 40.8%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, XLP or FSTA?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, FSTA has been riskier: XLP fell as much as 16.3% and FSTA as much as 17.1%. Their betas are 0.48 and 0.50.
How much do XLP and FSTA overlap?
About 77% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 35 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are WMT, COST, PG. Holding both adds little diversification.
How often do XLP and FSTA pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.5406 for XLP and $0.2910 for FSTA.
How much income does $10,000 in XLP vs FSTA generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in XLP would generate roughly $20.86 per month ($250 annually). The same amount in FSTA would produce about $17.74 per month ($213 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both XLP and FSTA?
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 XLP vs FSTA with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how XLP and FSTA 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.