Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: AEP is ratedTier 2 (Yield Plus)while HDV is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone).HDV is structurally lower risk than AEP.
| Metric | AEP | HDV |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 15.45% | 11.80% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 12.19% | 8.01% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.34% | -17.04% |
| 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.
HDV (iShares Core High Dividend) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by iShares. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $12.0B 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 HDV, the choice depends on your specific goal. HDV wins for Immediate Income with a 3.79% 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
HDV
Annual Yield: 3.79%
$316/mo
($3,792/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: HDV generates $532/year more than AEP on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $10,633 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.
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
HDV (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -17.04%
-$17,040
Worst unrealized loss
AEP (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -20.34%
-$20,340
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: HDV saved investors $3,300 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: HDV 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.