Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: ABNDX is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone)while IWMY is ratedTier 4 (Harvest).ABNDX is structurally lower risk than IWMY.
| Metric | ABNDX | IWMY |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 4.24% | 4.65% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 0.26% | -26.29% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.06% | -34.33% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
ABNDX (American Funds Bond Fund of Amer A) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by American Funds. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With significant capital, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
IWMY (Defiance Russell 2000 Enhanced Options) is a options-based income fund managed by Defiance. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $119.1M in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Generates enhanced income through covered call options on equity holdings, trading upside potential for premium income.
In the head-to-head battle of ABNDX vs IWMY, the choice depends on your specific goal. IWMY wins for Immediate Income with a 30.94% yield. However, IWMY is the better choice for Long-Term Growth due to superior total return performance.
Which fund is safer for retirement income? We analyze the yield sustainability and structural risk.
What is a Yield Trap? A yield trap occurs when a fund advertises an attractive headline yield (30.94% in IWMY's case), but that income is partially funded by Return of Capital (ROC) distributions rather than genuine earnings or realized gains. This means you're essentially receiving your own money back, while the fund's NAV erodes.
12-MONTH PERFORMANCE BREAKDOWN:
Why This Matters: For retirees withdrawing income, this creates a double-whammy effect:
⚖️ Verdict: IWMY exhibits classic yield trap characteristics. Income investors should allocate cautiously and consider pairing with capital-preserving assets (Tier 1-2 funds).
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
ABNDX
Annual Yield: 3.98%
$332/mo
($3,983/year)
Frequency: monthly
IWMY
Annual Yield: 30.94%
$2,578/mo
($30,940/year)
Frequency: weekly
Income Gap: IWMY generates $26,957/year more than ABNDX on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $539,149 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Higher income doesn't always mean better investment. Review the "Yield Trap" and "Total Return" sections above—you want income that's sustainable, not just headline-grabbing.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. IWMY has delivered a superior Total Return of 4.65% over the past year.
What is Max Drawdown? Max drawdown measures the largest peak-to-trough decline in portfolio value during a specific period. Unlike NAV change (which only looks at start vs. end), max drawdown captures the worst moment of pain an investor experienced.
Real-World Scenario: $100,000 Investment
ABNDX (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -4.06%
-$4,060
Worst unrealized loss
IWMY (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -34.33%
-$34,330
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: ABNDX saved investors $30,270 in drawdown severity on a $100k position.
Why This Matters More Than Total Return: During bear markets or corrections, investors with lower max drawdown are:
⚖️ Capital Preservation Winner: ABNDX demonstrated superior downside protection, making it the better choice for retirees who cannot afford steep temporary losses.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.