Is SLF a good ETF?
SLF is the State Street SPDR S&P/ASX 200 Listed Property ETF from State Street. It tracks the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index. We classify it under AU and Thematic. With about $496 million in assets it is a solidly established fund.
On a total-return basis, SLF has delivered 4.89% a year over 10 years (ranked 78th of 108 ETFs we track), 5.33% a year over 5 years (ranked 118th of 188 ETFs we track), 9.9% a year over 3 years (ranked 118th of 226 ETFs we track), and -5.51% a year over 1 year (ranked 284th of 308 ETFs we track). It has trailed most comparable ETFs over the periods we measure, so look closely at whether its strategy fits what you're after.
The management fee of 0.16% is reasonable. That's cheaper than the typical 0.39% for similar ETFs. It pays a healthy 4.82% yield, attractive if you want regular income. Bear in mind distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate, so a high yield is less tax-efficient for higher earners and during the accumulation phase, though 10% franking softens the blow for Australian residents.
Over the past 10 years its volatility has been elevated (annualised standard deviation around 21.12%), meaning noticeably larger swings than the broad market. Its 10-year Sharpe ratio of 0.24 is weak — that's the return it has earned per unit of risk taken (higher is better).
Portfolio turnover is low at about 15% a year — it trades only a small slice of its holdings each year, so trading costs and tax on realised gains stay modest — typical of a passive index strategy.
Strengths
- Low-cost: a 0.16% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
- Pays a useful 4.82% income yield.
Things to watch
- Has lagged most peers over 1 year (284th of 308).
- Weak risk-adjusted returns (10-year Sharpe ratio 0.24).
- Highly concentrated single-theme bet — keep the position size small.
Good to know
- Distributions are 10% franked, a tax bonus for Australian residents.
- Australian focus means franked dividends and no currency risk, but heavy concentration in banks and miners.
What SLF's categories mean for you
How each category this ETF belongs to tends to behave across market cycles.
Australian shares. Home-market familiarity, fully franked dividends and no currency risk for local investors — but very concentrated in banks and miners, which dominate the index.
- Market regime
- Sensitive to commodity prices, Chinese demand and domestic interest rates. Generous income, but narrow sector diversification.
- In a portfolio
- A natural core for Australian investors thanks to franking, but should be paired with global exposure so you aren't over-reliant on a handful of banks and resource giants.
A concentrated bet on a single trend — AI, battery tech, cybersecurity, robotics and the like. High conviction, high concentration, and often high fees.
- Market regime
- Frequently launched after a theme is already hot, which has historically been a poor entry point. Expect very large swings in both directions.
- In a portfolio
- A small satellite position at most. Treat it as a speculative tilt, never as a core holding.
General information only, generated from the fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.