FXU vs XLU
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund compared with State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
FXU
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund
TTM yield · Quarterly
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- XLU yields more today: 2.61% vs 1.82% (forward).
- FXU has grown its payout faster: 8.1%/yr vs 3.9%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- XLU has the longer streak of annual increases: 7 years vs 2.
- Over the last year FXU delivered the higher total return: +9.9% vs +5.9% (price change plus payouts).
- XLU is cheaper to own: 0.08% vs 0.61% expense ratio.
- XLU has the steadier distribution: consistency 93/100 vs 83/100.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | FXU | XLU |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $47.57 | $43.45 |
| TTM yield | 2.24% | 2.75% |
| Forward yield | 1.82% | 2.61% |
| Annual payout per share | $0.868 | $1.136 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Sep 24, 2026 (est.) | Sep 21, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.61% | 0.08% |
| 1-year payout growth | +13.8% | +4.9% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +8.1% | +3.9% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 2 years | 7 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 83/100 | 93/100 |
| 1-year total return | +9.9% | +5.9% |
| 1-year price return | +7.5% | +3.1% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 781.1M | 21.8B |
| Years paying | 18.7 | 27.5 |
| Sector / category | Utilities | Utilities |
✓ 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
| FXU | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 210.2 | 230.1 |
| Income per year | $182 | $261 |
| Income per month (avg) | $15 | $22 |
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FXU Sep 24, 2026 | Oct 8, 2026 | $0.217 | Est. |
| FXU Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 7, 2027 | $0.217 | Est. |
| FXU Mar 25, 2027 | Apr 8, 2027 | $0.217 | Est. |
| XLU Sep 21, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 | $0.284 | Est. |
| XLU Dec 21, 2026 | Jan 4, 2027 | $0.284 | Est. |
| XLU Mar 22, 2027 | Apr 5, 2027 | $0.284 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
FXUXLU
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, FXU or XLU?
XLU currently has the higher trailing yield: FXU yields 2.24% and XLU yields 2.75%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do FXU and XLU pay?
FXU pays every quarter and XLU pays every quarter. FXU's next ex-date is Sep 24, 2026 and XLU's is Sep 21, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, FXU or XLU?
FXU has grown its payout faster: 8.1%/yr vs 3.9%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is FXU or XLU better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. FXU and XLU 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.