Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: AMEFX is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone)while EL is ratedTier 2 (Yield Plus).AMEFX is structurally lower risk than EL.
| Metric | AMEFX | EL |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 34.73% | 65.15% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 3.62% | 63.91% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.91% | -58.11% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
AMEFX (American Funds Income Fund of Amer F2) 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.
EL (Estee Lauder Companies Inc.) 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.
In the head-to-head battle of AMEFX vs EL, the choice depends on your specific goal. AMEFX wins for Immediate Income with a 31.11% yield. However, EL 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:
AMEFX
Annual Yield: 31.11%
$2,592/mo
($31,106/year)
Frequency: quarterly
EL
Annual Yield: 1.24%
$103/mo
($1,239/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: AMEFX generates $29,867/year more than EL on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $597,349 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. EL has delivered a superior Total Return of 65.15% 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
AMEFX (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -16.91%
-$16,910
Worst unrealized loss
EL (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -58.11%
-$58,110
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: AMEFX saved investors $41,200 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: AMEFX 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.