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 XYLD is ratedTier 4 (Harvest).AMEFX is structurally lower risk than XYLD.
| Metric | AMEFX | XYLD |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 6.27% | 8.08% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 3.62% | -2.44% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.91% | -16.95% |
| 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.
XYLD (Global X S&P 500 Covered Call) is a options-based income fund managed by Global X. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $3.1B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Generates enhanced income through covered call options on equity holdings, trading upside potential for premium income.
In the head-to-head battle of AMEFX vs XYLD, the choice depends on your specific goal. XYLD wins for Immediate Income with a 10.52% yield. However, XYLD 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
XYLD
Annual Yield: 10.52%
$876/mo
($10,518/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: XYLD generates $7,868/year more than AMEFX on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $157,355 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. XYLD has delivered a superior Total Return of 8.08% 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.