Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: DEO is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone)while NEA is ratedTier 3 (Specialty).DEO is structurally lower risk than NEA.
| Metric | DEO | NEA |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -10.95% | 7.25% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -16.49% | 0.26% |
| Max Drawdown | -26.46% | -12.94% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
DEO (Diageo plc) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by Diageo plc. 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.
NEA (Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund) is a sector-specific income fund managed by Nuveen. 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 DEO vs NEA, the choice depends on your specific goal. NEA wins for Immediate Income with a 6.99% yield. However, NEA 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:
DEO
Annual Yield: 5.54%
$462/mo
($5,543/year)
Frequency: semi-annual
NEA
Annual Yield: 6.99%
$583/mo
($6,992/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: NEA generates $1,449/year more than DEO on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $28,986 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. NEA has delivered a superior Total Return of 7.25% 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
NEA (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -12.94%
-$12,940
Worst unrealized loss
DEO (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -26.46%
-$26,460
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: NEA saved investors $13,520 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: NEA 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.