NIKL vs XLB
Sprott Nickel Miners ETF compared with State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
NIKL
Sprott Nickel Miners ETF
TTM yield · Annual
XLB
State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- NIKL yields more today: 2.71% vs 1.49% (forward).
- NIKL has grown its payout faster: 7.0%/yr vs -0.6%/yr over the last 1 year.
- NIKL pays once a year; XLB pays every quarter.
- Over the last year NIKL delivered the higher total return: +19.3% vs +14.4% (price change plus payouts).
- XLB is cheaper to own: 0.08% vs 0.75% expense ratio.
- XLB has the steadier distribution: consistency 86/100 vs 5/100.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | NIKL | XLB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $14.69 | $51.94 |
| TTM yield | 2.71% | 1.63% |
| Forward yield | 2.71% | 1.49% |
| Annual payout per share | $0.398 | $0.772 |
| Payment frequency | Annual | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Dec 20, 2026 (est.) | Sep 21, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.75% | 0.08% |
| 1-year payout growth | +7.0% | -0.6% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | — | +4.8% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 1 year | 1 year |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 5/100 | 86/100 |
| 1-year total return | +19.3% | +14.4% |
| 1-year price return | +16.2% | +12.6% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 59.8M | 8.8B |
| Years paying | 2.7 | 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
| NIKL | XLB | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 680.7 | 192.5 |
| Income per year | $271 | $149 |
| Income per month (avg) | $23 | $12 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model NIKL · Model XLB
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIKL Dec 20, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | $0.398 | 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
NIKLXLB
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, NIKL or XLB?
NIKL currently has the higher trailing yield: NIKL yields 2.71% and XLB yields 1.63%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do NIKL and XLB pay?
NIKL pays once a year and XLB pays every quarter. NIKL's next ex-date is Dec 20, 2026 and XLB's is Sep 21, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, NIKL or XLB?
NIKL has grown its payout faster: 7.0%/yr vs -0.6%/yr over the last 1 year.
Is NIKL or XLB better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. NIKL 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.