Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both CSWC and STAG fall intoTier 3: Specialty. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | CSWC | STAG |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 131.19% | 15.86% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -0.60% | 3.53% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.44% | -23.71% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
CSWC (Capital Southwest) 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.
STAG (STAG Industrial) 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 CSWC vs STAG, the choice depends on your specific goal. CSWC wins for Immediate Income with a 131.79% yield. However, CSWC 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:
CSWC
Annual Yield: 131.79%
$10,982/mo
($131,789/year)
Frequency: monthly
STAG
Annual Yield: 12.33%
$1,027/mo
($12,327/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: CSWC generates $119,462/year more than STAG on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $2,389,234 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. CSWC has delivered a superior Total Return of 131.19% 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.