The SPDR® S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:SPY - News) and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:XLV - News) today announced that the Funds received payment as an authorized claimant from a class action settlement related to UnitedHealth Group Inc.

The total amount payable to each Fund is listed below. When the Funds calculate their net asset value (?NAV?) per share on Wednesday, January 5, 2011, it is estimated that each Fund's NAV will be impacted by the receipt of the corresponding payment in the amount stated below based on the shares outstanding as of January 3, 2011.

Fund          

Settlement
Payment

         

Shares
Outstanding as of
January 3, 2011

         

Per Share
Amount

SPDR® S&P
500 ETF Trust
(ticker: SPY)

          $2,754,178           716,682,116           $0.0038

Health Care
Select Sector
SPDR Fund
(ticker: XLV)

          $437,724           87,465,324           $0.0050

State Street manages more than $235 billion in SPDR ETF assets worldwide (as of December 31, 2010) and is one of the largest ETF providers in the US and globally.

About State Street Global Advisors

State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) is a global leader in asset management. The firm is relied on by sophisticated investors worldwide for its disciplined investment process, powerful global investment platform and access to every major asset class, capitalization range and style. SSgA is the asset management business of State Street, one of the world's leading providers of financial services to institutional investors.

Note to Editors: SPDR® Exchange Traded Funds

SPDR ETFs are a comprehensive family spanning an array of international and domestic asset classes. SPDR ETFs provide professional investors with the flexibility to select investments that are precisely aligned to their investment strategy. Recognized as the industry pioneer, State Street?in partnership with the American Stock Exchange?created the first ETF in 1993 (SPDR S&P 500 – Ticker SPY). Since then, we've sustained our place as an industry innovator through the introduction of many ground-breaking products, including first-to-market successes with gold, international real estate, international fixed income and sector ETFs. SPDR ETFs are managed or marketed by SSgA Funds Management, Inc, a registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Bank and Trust Company.

ETFs trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk and will fluctuate in market value.

Select Sector SPDR Funds bear a higher level of risk than more broadly diversified funds. All ETFs are subject to risk, including the possible loss of principal. Sector ETFs products are also subject to sector risk and non-diversification risk, which generally results in greater price fluctuations than the overall market.

Frequent trading of ETFs could significantly increase commissions and other costs such that they may offset any savings from low fees or costs.

SPDR is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC ("S&P") and has been licensed for use by State Street Corporation. STANDARD & POOR, S&P, S&P 500 and S&P MIDCAP 400 are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC. No financial product offered by State Street Corporation or its affiliates is sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P or its affiliates, and S&P and its affiliates make no representation, warranty or condition regarding the advisability of buying, selling or holding units/shares in such products. Further limitations and important information that could affect investors' rights are described in the prospectus for the applicable product.

Distributor (for SPDR ETFs, except as noted below): State Street Global Markets, LLC, member FINRA, SIPC, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation.

ALPS Distributors, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, is distributor for SPDR S&P 500 shares, MidCap SPDRs and SPDR DJIA ETF, all unit investment trusts and Select Sector SPDRs.

References to State Street may include State Street Corporation and its affiliates. Certain State Street affiliates provide services and receive fees from the SPDR ETFs.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. To obtain a prospectus which contains this and other information call 1-866-787-2257 or visit www.spdrs.com. Read it carefully.

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State Street Corporation
Marie McGehee, 617-664-1898