FIW vs XLB
First Trust Water ETF compared with State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
FIW
First Trust Water ETF
TTM yield · Quarterly
XLB
State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- XLB yields more today: 1.49% vs 0.69% (forward).
- FIW has grown its payout faster: 15.6%/yr vs 4.8%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- Over the last year XLB delivered the higher total return: +14.4% vs -3.6% (price change plus payouts).
- XLB is cheaper to own: 0.08% vs 0.50% expense ratio.
- XLB has the steadier distribution: consistency 86/100 vs 72/100.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | FIW | XLB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $108.87 | $51.94 |
| TTM yield | 0.71% | 1.63% |
| Forward yield | 0.69% | 1.49% |
| Annual payout per share | $0.756 | $0.772 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Sep 24, 2026 (est.) | Sep 21, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.50% | 0.08% |
| 1-year payout growth | +0.6% | -0.6% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +15.6% | +4.8% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 0 years | 1 year |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 72/100 | 86/100 |
| 1-year total return | -3.6% | +14.4% |
| 1-year price return | -4.3% | +12.6% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 1.9B | 8.8B |
| Years paying | 18.7 | 27.5 |
| Sector / category | Natural Resources | Natural Resources |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| FIW | XLB | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 91.9 | 192.5 |
| Income per year | $69 | $149 |
| Income per month (avg) | $6 | $12 |
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIW Sep 24, 2026 | Oct 8, 2026 | $0.189 | Est. |
| FIW Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 7, 2027 | $0.189 | Est. |
| FIW Mar 25, 2027 | Apr 8, 2027 | $0.189 | Est. |
| XLB Sep 21, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 | $0.193 | Est. |
| XLB Dec 21, 2026 | Jan 4, 2027 | $0.193 | Est. |
| XLB Mar 22, 2027 | Apr 5, 2027 | $0.193 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
FIWXLB
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, FIW or XLB?
XLB currently has the higher trailing yield: FIW yields 0.71% and XLB yields 1.63%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do FIW and XLB pay?
FIW pays every quarter and XLB pays every quarter. FIW's next ex-date is Sep 24, 2026 and XLB's is Sep 21, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, FIW or XLB?
FIW has grown its payout faster: 15.6%/yr vs 4.8%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is FIW or XLB better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. FIW and XLB differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.