Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both AEP and BAR fall intoTier 2: Yield Plus. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | AEP | BAR |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 15.45% | 0.00% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 12.19% | 0.00% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.34% | 0.00% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
AEP (American Electric Power Company) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by institutional managers. 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.
BAR (GraniteShares Gold Trust) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by GraniteShares. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $1.5B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
In the head-to-head battle of AEP vs BAR, the choice depends on your specific goal. AEP wins for Immediate Income with a 3.26% yield. However, AEP 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.
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
AEP
Annual Yield: 3.26%
$272/mo
($3,260/year)
Frequency: quarterly
BAR
Annual Yield: 0.00%
$0/mo
($0/year)
Frequency: Monthly
Income Gap: AEP generates $3,260/year more than BAR on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $65,197 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. AEP has delivered a superior Total Return of 15.45% over the past year.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.