Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both CTAS and YUM fall intoTier 2: Yield Plus. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | CTAS | YUM |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -4.90% | 0.58% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -5.83% | -1.25% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.04% | -14.96% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
CTAS (Cintas Corporation) is a conservative dividend growth 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: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
YUM (Yum! Brands Inc.) is a conservative dividend growth 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: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
In the head-to-head battle of CTAS vs YUM, the choice depends on your specific goal. YUM wins for Immediate Income with a 1.83% yield. However, YUM 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:
CTAS
Annual Yield: 0.93%
$78/mo
($932/year)
Frequency: quarterly
YUM
Annual Yield: 1.83%
$152/mo
($1,826/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: YUM generates $894/year more than CTAS on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $17,877 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. YUM has delivered a superior Total Return of 0.58% 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
YUM (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -14.96%
-$14,960
Worst unrealized loss
CTAS (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -20.04%
-$20,040
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: YUM saved investors $5,080 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: YUM 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.