Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both BBRE and CCEF fall intoTier 3: Specialty. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | BBRE | CCEF |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 5.22% | 11.95% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -2.36% | 3.95% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.58% | -17.17% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
BBRE (JPMorgan BetaBuilders MSCI US REIT) is a sector-specific income fund managed by JPMorgan. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $1.1B 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.
CCEF (Calamos CEF Income & Arbitrage ETF) is a sector-specific income fund managed by Calamos. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $31.8M 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 BBRE vs CCEF, the choice depends on your specific goal. CCEF wins for Immediate Income with a 8.00% yield. However, CCEF 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:
BBRE
Annual Yield: 7.58%
$632/mo
($7,583/year)
Frequency: quarterly
CCEF
Annual Yield: 8.00%
$667/mo
($7,999/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: CCEF generates $415/year more than BBRE on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $8,303 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. CCEF has delivered a superior Total Return of 11.95% over the past year.
What is an Expense Ratio? The annual fee charged by the fund, expressed as a percentage of assets. It's deducted daily from the fund's NAV, making it invisible to most investors—but it compounds over time.
BBRE (LOWER COST)
0.110%
Annual expense ratio
CCEF (HIGHER COST)
3.190%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 3.08%": That seemingly small difference of 3.080% annually becomes $61,600 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$140,059 in potential portfolio value.
💡 Cost Efficiency Winner: BBRE is the clear winner for long-term buy-and-hold investors. Lower fees mean more capital compounds in YOUR account, not the fund manager's.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.