Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both MAIN and STAG fall intoTier 3: Specialty. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | MAIN | STAG |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 108.31% | 15.86% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 5.23% | 3.53% |
| Max Drawdown | -27.23% | -23.71% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
MAIN (Main Street Capital) is a sector-specific income 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: Concentrates on sector-specific opportunities, typically REITs, MLPs, or BDCs with higher baseline yields.
STAG (STAG Industrial) is a sector-specific income 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: Concentrates on sector-specific opportunities, typically REITs, MLPs, or BDCs with higher baseline yields.
In the head-to-head battle of MAIN vs STAG, the choice depends on your specific goal. MAIN wins for Immediate Income with a 103.08% yield. However, MAIN 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:
MAIN
Annual Yield: 103.08%
$8,590/mo
($103,079/year)
Frequency: monthly
STAG
Annual Yield: 12.33%
$1,027/mo
($12,327/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: MAIN generates $90,752/year more than STAG on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $1,815,036 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. MAIN has delivered a superior Total Return of 108.31% 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
STAG (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -23.71%
-$23,710
Worst unrealized loss
MAIN (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -27.23%
-$27,230
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: STAG saved investors $3,520 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: STAG 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.