Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: FLOT is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone)while SO is ratedTier 2 (Yield Plus).FLOT is structurally lower risk than SO.
| Metric | FLOT | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 4.57% | 2.70% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -0.20% | -0.71% |
| Max Drawdown | -1.94% | -15.68% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
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.
SO (Southern Company) 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 FLOT vs SO, the choice depends on your specific goal. FLOT wins for Immediate Income with a 4.77% yield. However, FLOT 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:
FLOT
Annual Yield: 4.77%
$398/mo
($4,773/year)
Frequency: monthly
SO
Annual Yield: 3.41%
$284/mo
($3,412/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: FLOT generates $1,360/year more than SO on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $27,205 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. FLOT has delivered a superior Total Return of 4.57% 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
FLOT (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -1.94%
-$1,940
Worst unrealized loss
SO (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -15.68%
-$15,680
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: FLOT saved investors $13,740 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: FLOT 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.