Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both CCI and WPC fall intoTier 3: Specialty. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | CCI | WPC |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -2.46% | 13.66% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -7.36% | 8.38% |
| Max Drawdown | -26.55% | -20.13% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
CCI (Crown Castle) is a sector-specific income fund managed by REIT. 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.
WPC (W. P. Carey Inc.) 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 CCI vs WPC, the choice depends on your specific goal. WPC wins for Immediate Income with a 5.28% yield. However, WPC 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:
CCI
Annual Yield: 4.90%
$408/mo
($4,898/year)
Frequency: quarterly
WPC
Annual Yield: 5.28%
$440/mo
($5,276/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: WPC generates $378/year more than CCI on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $7,559 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. WPC has delivered a superior Total Return of 13.66% 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
WPC (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -20.13%
-$20,130
Worst unrealized loss
CCI (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -26.55%
-$26,550
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: WPC saved investors $6,420 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: WPC 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.