Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: CSHI is ratedTier 4 (Harvest)while FLOT is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone).FLOT is structurally lower risk than CSHI.
| Metric | CSHI | FLOT |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 4.58% | 4.57% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -0.23% | -0.20% |
| Max Drawdown | -2.14% | -1.94% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
CSHI (NEOS Enhanced Income Cash Alternative) is a options-based income fund managed by NEOS. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $805.9M 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.
FLOT (iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by iShares. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $9.0B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
In the head-to-head battle of CSHI vs FLOT, the choice depends on your specific goal. CSHI wins for Immediate Income with a 4.81% yield. However, CSHI 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:
CSHI
Annual Yield: 4.81%
$400/mo
($4,806/year)
Frequency: monthly
FLOT
Annual Yield: 4.77%
$398/mo
($4,773/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: CSHI generates $33/year more than FLOT on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $661 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. CSHI has delivered a superior Total Return of 4.58% 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.
FLOT (LOWER COST)
0.150%
Annual expense ratio
CSHI (HIGHER COST)
0.390%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 0.24%": That seemingly small difference of 0.240% annually becomes $4,800 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$13,837 in potential portfolio value.
💡 Cost Efficiency Winner: FLOT 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.