If you want maximum headline income
→ SPYT
SPYT leads headline yield (~20.2%). Check the tape for total return and NAV path before sizing up.
Two income funds compared side-by-side using the available DivAgent snapshot. See which one fits your yield strategy.
8-second verdict · always free
If you want maximum headline income
→ SPYT
SPYT leads headline yield (~20.2%). Check the tape for total return and NAV path before sizing up.
If you want total return (paid + price)
→ ISPY
ISPY leads 1Y total return (~16.9%). Prefer this when you care about paid + price, not yield alone.
If you need sleep-at-night sizing
→ Neither alone
Both sit at Tier 4+ (elevated structural risk). Size inside a diversified sleeve with Tier 1–2 ballast.
Neither fund currently meets this page's high-yield and NAV-decline screen. That result does not establish distribution sustainability or composition; those require separate issuer evidence.
When the edge flips — yield, total return, or NAV path — we email the updated tape. Plus the free Yield Trap cheat sheet: what high-yield funds actually paid vs what their prices did.
Path A · Still deciding
Related battlesMore ISPY and SPYT matchups in the same decision space — different trade-offs.
Path B · Picked a side
Full ticker auditsDeep-dive ISPY or SPYT: distribution history, risk tier, peer set.
Audit SPYT →Path C · Want a system
Leaderboard & portfoliosSee how income funds rank by risk tier and matrix cell — then track holdings free.
What this means: Both ISPY and SPYT fall intoTier 4: Harvest. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | ISPY | SPYT |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 16.92% | 15.42% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 11.20% | -4.37% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.42% | -20.97% |
| Beta | N/A | N/A |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
ISPY (ProShares S&P 500 High Income) is listed with ProShares as provider. Reported assets under management: $1.3B.
Observed profile: DivAgent currently reports Tier 4, 5.72% annualized yield, 11.20% 1Y NAV change, and 16.92% 1Y total return. The tier is a risk classification; it does not by itself identify the fund's holdings or strategy.
SPYT (Defiance S&P 500 Income Target) is listed with Defiance as provider. Reported assets under management: $148.8M.
Observed profile: DivAgent currently reports Tier 4, 20.21% annualized yield, -4.37% 1Y NAV change, and 15.42% 1Y total return. The tier is a risk classification; it does not by itself identify the fund's holdings or strategy.
In the head-to-head battle of ISPY vs SPYT, the choice depends on your specific goal. SPYT leads Immediate Income with a 20.21% yield. ISPY leads 1Y Total Return in the current data.
Compare the reported annualized yield, payout frequency, and DivAgent risk tier.
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: 5.72%
$477/mo
($5,723/year)
Frequency: monthly
SPYT
Annual Yield: 20.21%
$1,684/mo
($20,208/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: SPYT generates $14,486/year more than ISPY on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $289,717 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Compare annualized yield with NAV change and total return rather than using the yield figure alone.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. ISPY has the higher current 1Y total return at 16.92%.
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
SPYT (HIGHER COST)
0.920%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 0.36%": That seemingly small difference of 0.360% annually becomes $7,200 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$19,073 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.