Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both ISPY and SPYI fall intoTier 4: Harvest. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | ISPY | SPYI |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 10.81% | 16.01% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 3.24% | 4.24% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.42% | -19.58% |
| Beta | - | 0.70 |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
ISPY (ProShares S&P 500 High Income) is a options-based income fund managed by ProShares. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $1.3B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Generates enhanced income through covered call options on equity holdings, trading upside potential for premium income.
SPYI (NEOS S&P 500 High Income) is a options-based income fund managed by NEOS. It tracks the S&P 500 index across approximately 503 positions. With $9.2B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since Aug 2022.
Strategy: Generates enhanced income through covered call options on equity holdings, trading upside potential for premium income.
In the head-to-head battle of ISPY vs SPYI, the choice depends on your specific goal. SPYI wins for Immediate Income with a 11.77% yield. However, SPYI 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:
ISPY
Annual Yield: 7.57%
$630/mo
($7,566/year)
Frequency: monthly
SPYI
Annual Yield: 11.77%
$981/mo
($11,767/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: SPYI generates $4,201/year more than ISPY on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $84,018 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. SPYI has delivered a superior Total Return of 16.01% over the past year.
What is an Expense Ratio? The annual fee charged by the fund, expressed as a percentage of assets. It's deducted daily from the fund's NAV, making it invisible to most investors—but it compounds over time.
ISPY (LOWER COST)
0.560%
Annual expense ratio
SPYI (HIGHER COST)
0.680%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 0.12%": That seemingly small difference of 0.120% annually becomes $2,400 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$6,496 in potential portfolio value.
💡 Cost Efficiency Winner: ISPY is the clear winner for long-term buy-and-hold investors. Lower fees mean more capital compounds in YOUR account, not the fund manager's.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.