Dividend comparison
XLV vs FHLC: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF and Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
XLV vs FHLC: 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. XLV pays more income, yielding 1.42% over the last twelve months versus 1.18% for FHLC. That is about $24 more a year on $10,000. XLV pays annual, FHLC pays weekly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, XLV returned 46.9% versus 39.2% for FHLC, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $14,689 in XLV and $13,922 in FHLC.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -17.1% for XLV and -17.7% for FHLC from peak to trough.
- Diversification. FHLC holds 365 positions and XLV holds 61. The ten largest positions make up 60.3% of XLV and 52.4% of FHLC.
- Overlap. 83% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 57 shared holdings. Owning both adds little diversification.
- Dividend growth. XLV grew its yearly payout 7.2% a year over the last 4 years, versus 6.8% for FHLC.
- Size. XLV is the larger fund with $46.1 billion in assets, against $3.5 billion for FHLC.
Bottom line: XLV fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns. FHLC fits better if you care most about broader diversification. With 83% 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 | XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF | FHLC Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 1.42% | 1.18% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $2.55 | $1.02 |
| Payout frequency | Annual | Weekly |
| Last dividend | $0.6422 on Sep 23, 2026 | $0.2540 on Sep 22, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 7.2% over 4 yrs | 6.8% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $179.82 | $86.30 |
| Dividend growth streak | 5 years | 4 years |
| Beta | 0.56 | 0.59 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -17.1% | -17.7% |
| Market cap | $45.90B | $3.54B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| Assets under management | $46.07B | $3.54B |
| Number of holdings | 61 | 365 |
| Top 10 concentration | 60.3% | 52.4% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
XLV
$11.82/mo
$142 /yr at 1.42% yield
FHLC
$9.83/mo
$118 /yr at 1.18% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. XLV pays annual; FHLC pays weekly.
| Year | XLV | FHLC |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.4766 | $1.0370 |
| 2024 | $2.2943 | $0.9880 |
| 2023 | $2.1688 | $0.9040 |
| 2022 | $1.9925 | $0.8330 |
| 2021 | $1.8729 | $0.7980 |
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 $14,689 in XLV and $13,922 in FHLC.
| Period | XLV | FHLC |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 6.79% | 5.99% |
| 3 months | 11.63% | 10.09% |
| Year to date | 16.16% | 16.18% |
| 1 year | 24.19% | 23.80% |
| 3 years | 45.19% | 48.43% |
| 5 years | 46.89% | 39.22% |
- XLV
- FHLC
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.
- XLV
- FHLC
XLV vs FHLC holdings overlap
83% overlap by weight, with 57 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 | XLV weight | FHLC weight |
|---|---|---|
| LLYELI LILLY + CO | 15.57% | 13.56% |
| JNJJOHNSON + JOHNSON | 9.60% | 8.29% |
| ABBVABBVIE INC | 7.84% | 6.80% |
| UNHUNITEDHEALTH GROUP INC | 5.73% | 4.91% |
| MRKMERCK + CO. INC. | 5.56% | 4.86% |
| TMOTHERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC | 3.94% | 3.46% |
| AMGNAMGEN INC | 3.60% | 3.15% |
| GILDGILEAD SCIENCES INC | 2.98% | 2.61% |
| ABTABBOTT LABORATORIES | 2.82% | 2.46% |
| PFEPFIZER INC | 2.63% | 2.27% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
XLV61 holdings total
Quick verdict
XLV fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns. FHLC fits better if you care most about broader diversification. With 83% 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 XLV vs FHLC fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is XLV or FHLC better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. XLV currently yields 1.42% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while FHLC yields 1.18%. 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 XLV and FHLC?
State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF (FHLC) 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, XLV or FHLC?
They cost about the same: XLV charges 0.08% a year and FHLC charges 0.08%.
Which has performed better, XLV or FHLC?
Over the last 5 years, XLV has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: XLV returned 46.9% and FHLC returned 39.2%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, XLV or FHLC?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, FHLC has been riskier: XLV fell as much as 17.1% and FHLC as much as 17.7%. Their betas are 0.56 and 0.59.
How much do XLV and FHLC overlap?
About 83% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 57 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are LLY, JNJ, ABBV. Holding both adds little diversification.
How often do XLV and FHLC pay dividends?
XLV pays annual and FHLC pays weekly.
How much income does $10,000 in XLV vs FHLC generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in XLV would generate roughly $11.82 per month ($142 annually). The same amount in FHLC would produce about $9.83 per month ($118 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both XLV and FHLC?
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 XLV vs FHLC with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how XLV and FHLC 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.