Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both CCEF and LYB fall intoTier 3: Specialty. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | CCEF | LYB |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 11.95% | -27.34% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 3.95% | -32.55% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.17% | -45.95% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
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.
LYB (LyondellBasell Industries N.V.) is a sector-specific income 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: Concentrates on sector-specific opportunities, typically REITs, MLPs, or BDCs with higher baseline yields.
In the head-to-head battle of CCEF vs LYB, 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:
CCEF
Annual Yield: 8.00%
$667/mo
($7,999/year)
Frequency: monthly
LYB
Annual Yield: 5.21%
$434/mo
($5,210/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: CCEF generates $2,788/year more than LYB on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $55,763 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 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
CCEF (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -17.17%
-$17,170
Worst unrealized loss
LYB (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -45.95%
-$45,950
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: CCEF saved investors $28,780 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: CCEF 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.