Dividend comparison
XLRE vs USRT: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF and iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
XLRE vs USRT: 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. XLRE pays more income, yielding 3.40% over the last twelve months versus 2.80% for USRT. That is about $61 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, USRT returned 12.7% versus 2.8% for XLRE, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $11,269 in USRT and $10,281 in XLRE.
- Risk. XLRE has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -34.1%, against -31.0% for USRT.
- Diversification. USRT holds 123 positions and XLRE holds 30. The ten largest positions make up 59.5% of XLRE and 51.5% of USRT.
- Overlap. 75% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 26 shared holdings. Owning both adds little diversification.
- Dividend growth. USRT grew its yearly payout 3.3% a year over the last 4 years, versus 0.7% for XLRE.
Bottom line: XLRE fits better if you care most about more income today. USRT fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. With 75% 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 | XLRE State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF | USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 3.40% | 2.80% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.44 | $1.75 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.3547 on Sep 23, 2026 | $0.4731 on Sep 18, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 0.7% over 4 yrs | 3.3% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $42.38 | $62.71 |
| Dividend growth streak | — | 1 year |
| Beta | 0.98 | 0.96 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -34.1% | -31.0% |
| Market cap | $7.83B | $4.20B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| Assets under management | $7.79B | $4.14B |
| Number of holdings | 30 | 123 |
| Top 10 concentration | 59.5% | 51.5% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
XLRE
$28.38/mo
$341 /yr at 3.40% yield
USRT
$23.31/mo
$280 /yr at 2.80% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. XLRE pays quarterly; USRT pays quarterly.
| Year | XLRE | USRT |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.3918 | $1.7465 |
| 2024 | $1.3958 | $1.6318 |
| 2023 | $1.3265 | $1.7268 |
| 2022 | $1.3654 | $1.7131 |
| 2021 | $1.3540 | $1.5365 |
Strategy: Alternative income
Income vehicles outside ordinary stocks and bonds: real estate investment trusts, preferred shares, business development companies that lend to private firms, and energy pipeline partnerships. Each is structured to pass most of its earnings through to shareholders, which is why yields are high. Their payouts depend on rents, loan books or pipeline volumes rather than on corporate dividend policy.
These income streams are sensitive to interest rates and credit conditions, and much of the income is taxed as ordinary income rather than qualified dividends.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $10,281 in XLRE and $11,269 in USRT.
| Period | XLRE | USRT |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 0.47% | -0.14% |
| 3 months | -6.69% | -8.89% |
| Year to date | 5.03% | 10.09% |
| 1 year | -0.24% | 5.80% |
| 3 years | 38.54% | 46.45% |
| 5 years | 2.81% | 12.69% |
- XLRE
- USRT
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.
- XLRE
- USRT
XLRE vs USRT holdings overlap
75% overlap by weight, with 26 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 | XLRE weight | USRT weight |
|---|---|---|
| WELLWELLTOWER INC | 11.64% | 9.26% |
| PLDPROLOGIS INC | 8.16% | 6.98% |
| EQIXEQUINIX INC | 6.66% | 6.10% |
| SPGSIMON PROPERTY GROUP INC | 4.61% | 4.56% |
| DLRDIGITAL REALTY TRUST INC | 4.26% | 4.34% |
| PSAPUBLIC STORAGE | 4.67% | 4.21% |
| EQREQUITY RESIDENTIAL | 4.75% | 4.21% |
| OREALTY INCOME CORP | 4.30% | 4.07% |
| VMRKVIVMARK RESIDENTIAL | 4.36% | 3.91% |
| VTRVENTAS INC | 4.40% | 3.91% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
XLRE30 holdings total
Quick verdict
XLRE fits better if you care most about more income today. USRT fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. With 75% 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 XLRE vs USRT fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is XLRE or USRT better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. XLRE currently yields 3.40% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while USRT yields 2.80%. 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 XLRE and USRT?
State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLRE) is an ETF listed on AMEX. iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) 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, XLRE or USRT?
They cost about the same: XLRE charges 0.08% a year and USRT charges 0.08%.
Which has performed better, XLRE or USRT?
Over the last 5 years, USRT has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: XLRE returned 2.8% and USRT returned 12.7%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, XLRE or USRT?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, XLRE has been riskier: XLRE fell as much as 34.1% and USRT as much as 31.0%. Their betas are 0.98 and 0.96.
How much do XLRE and USRT overlap?
About 75% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 26 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are WELL, PLD, EQIX. Holding both adds little diversification.
How often do XLRE and USRT pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.3547 for XLRE and $0.4731 for USRT.
How much income does $10,000 in XLRE vs USRT generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in XLRE would generate roughly $28.38 per month ($341 annually). The same amount in USRT would produce about $23.31 per month ($280 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both XLRE and USRT?
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 XLRE vs USRT with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how XLRE and USRT 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.