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 JPIE is ratedTier 3 (Specialty).AMEFX is structurally lower risk than JPIE.
| Metric | AMEFX | JPIE |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 6.27% | 5.79% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 3.62% | 0.37% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.91% | -3.07% |
| 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 Capital Group. 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.
JPIE (JPMorgan Income ETF) is a sector-specific income fund managed by Janus Henderson. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $8.7B 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 JPIE, the choice depends on your specific goal. JPIE wins for Immediate Income with a 5.42% 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: 2.65%
$221/mo
($2,650/year)
Frequency: quarterly
JPIE
Annual Yield: 5.42%
$451/mo
($5,415/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: JPIE generates $2,765/year more than AMEFX on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $55,303 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 6.27% 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
JPIE (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -3.07%
-$3,070
Worst unrealized loss
AMEFX (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -16.91%
-$16,910
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: JPIE saved investors $13,840 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: JPIE 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.