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 NEE is ratedTier 2 (Yield Plus).DEO is structurally lower risk than NEE.
| Metric | DEO | NEE |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -10.95% | 22.30% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -16.49% | 19.50% |
| Max Drawdown | -26.46% | -27.30% |
| 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.
NEE (NextEra Energy 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 DEO vs NEE, the choice depends on your specific goal. DEO wins for Immediate Income with a 5.54% yield. However, NEE 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
NEE
Annual Yield: 2.80%
$233/mo
($2,796/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: DEO generates $2,747/year more than NEE on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $54,942 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. NEE has delivered a superior Total Return of 22.30% 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.