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 EMLP is ratedTier 3 (Specialty).AMEFX is structurally lower risk than EMLP.
| Metric | AMEFX | EMLP |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 34.73% | 8.16% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 3.62% | 5.26% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.91% | -16.41% |
| 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.
EMLP (First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure) is a sector-specific income fund managed by FirstTrust. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $3.4B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Concentrates on sector-specific opportunities, typically REITs, MLPs, or BDCs with higher baseline yields.
In the head-to-head battle of AMEFX vs EMLP, the choice depends on your specific goal. AMEFX wins for Immediate Income with a 31.11% yield. However, AMEFX 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
EMLP
Annual Yield: 2.90%
$242/mo
($2,903/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: AMEFX generates $28,203/year more than EMLP on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $564,069 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. AMEFX has delivered a superior Total Return of 34.73% 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.