Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: AFL is ratedTier 2 (Yield Plus)while HDV is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone).HDV is structurally lower risk than AFL.
| Metric | AFL | HDV |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 1.30% | 11.80% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -0.83% | 8.01% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.71% | -17.04% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
AFL (Aflac Incorporated) 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 AFL vs HDV, the choice depends on your specific goal. HDV wins for Immediate Income with a 3.79% yield. However, HDV 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:
AFL
Annual Yield: 2.13%
$178/mo
($2,131/year)
Frequency: quarterly
HDV
Annual Yield: 3.79%
$316/mo
($3,792/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: HDV generates $1,661/year more than AFL on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $33,215 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. HDV has delivered a superior Total Return of 11.80% 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
AFL (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -14.71%
-$14,710
Worst unrealized loss
HDV (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -17.04%
-$17,040
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: AFL saved investors $2,330 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: AFL 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.