Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) belongs to the Communications Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with XLC. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to XLC
XLC charges 0.13% annually. There is 1 ETF in the Communications Equities category with a lower expense ratio, going as low as 0.09%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Communication Services ETF | 0.09% | 6.30B | Sep 2004 | XLC vs VOX | |
| VanEck Communication Services TruSector ETF | 0.14% | 48.44M | Feb 2026 | XLC vs TRUC | |
| Global X PureCap MSCI Communication Services ETF | 0.15% | — | Jul 2025 | XLC vs GXPC | |
| SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | 0.35% | 623.40M | Jan 2011 | XLC vs XTL | |
| Fidelity Metaverse ETF | 0.39% | 44.02M | Apr 2022 | XLC vs FMET |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to XLC
XLC has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 19. There are 4 ETFs in the Communications Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 88.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | 88 | 623.40M | Jan 2011 | XLC vs XTL | |
| iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 76 | 1.27B | May 2000 | XLC vs IYZ | |
| Vanguard Communication Services ETF | 29 | 6.30B | Sep 2004 | XLC vs VOX | |
| Fidelity Disruptive Communications ETF | 22 | 100.32M | Apr 2020 | XLC vs FDCF | |
| Fidelity Metaverse ETF | 15 | 44.02M | Apr 2022 | XLC vs FMET |
Top Performing XLC Alternatives (YTD)
XLC is at -3.75% YTD. There are 6 ETFs in the Communications Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 36.50%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | 36.50% | 623.40M | Jan 2011 | XLC vs XTL | |
| iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 18.95% | 1.27B | May 2000 | XLC vs IYZ | |
| Fidelity Disruptive Communications ETF | 4.56% | 100.32M | Apr 2020 | XLC vs FDCF | |
| Global X PureCap MSCI Communication Services ETF | 3.57% | — | Jul 2025 | XLC vs GXPC | |
| Fidelity Metaverse ETF | 2.84% | 44.02M | Apr 2022 | XLC vs FMET |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to XLC
XLC has 13.83% 1-year volatility. There is 1 ETF in the Communications Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 13.78%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabelli Opportunities in Live and Sports ETF | 13.78% | 12.55M | Jan 2026 | XLC vs GOLS | |
| Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Communication Service... | 14.01% | 56.94M | Nov 2018 | XLC vs RSPC | |
| Vanguard Communication Services ETF | 16.28% | 6.30B | Sep 2004 | XLC vs VOX | |
| MUSQ Global Music Industry Index ETF | 17.41% | 24.93M | Jul 2023 | XLC vs MUSQ | |
| Fidelity Disruptive Communications ETF | 19.49% | 100.32M | Apr 2020 | XLC vs FDCF |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to XLC
XLC has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.57%. No ETFs in the Communications Equities category have shallower 1-year drawdowns; the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -12.58%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | -12.58% | 1.27B | May 2000 | XLC vs IYZ | |
| Vanguard Communication Services ETF | -13.56% | 6.30B | Sep 2004 | XLC vs VOX | |
| Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Communication Service... | -14.71% | 56.94M | Nov 2018 | XLC vs RSPC | |
| SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | -15.83% | 623.40M | Jan 2011 | XLC vs XTL | |
| Fidelity Disruptive Communications ETF | -18.10% | 100.32M | Apr 2020 | XLC vs FDCF |
Other ETFs from State Street
The 10 most viewed State Street ETFs shown here include SPY, GLD, XLK and span 10 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $783B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 65 | 10.67% | 783.21B | Jan 1993 | XLC vs SPY | |
| SPDR Gold Shares | Gold, Precious Metals | 21 | -7.91% | 132.10B | Nov 2004 | XLC vs GLD | |
| State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | Technology Equities | 54 | 23.60% | 120.59B | Dec 1998 | XLC vs XLK | |
| State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF | S&P 500, Large Cap Growth Equities | 44 | 10.85% | 52.75B | Sep 2000 | XLC vs SPYG | |
| State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ... | S&P 500, Dividend | 65 | 17.05% | 7.40B | Oct 2015 | XLC vs SPYD | |
| State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | Energy Equities | 59 | 29.29% | 36.33B | Dec 1998 | XLC vs XLE | |
| State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 66 | 10.74% | 158.31B | Nov 2005 | XLC vs SPYM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 22 | -7.79% | 27.70B | Jun 2018 | XLC vs GLDM | |
| State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | Utilities Equities | 31 | 7.94% | 23.51B | Dec 1998 | XLC vs XLU | |
| SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF | Government Bonds, Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.92% | 46.75B | May 2007 | XLC vs BIL |
Often Compared With XLC
Investors most often compare XLC with FCOM, XLF, IXP. These 20 comparison targets span 13 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare XLC with Any Fund or Stock
Compare XLC with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair XLC with funds that move differently
Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to XLC.
Explore XLC Diversifiers