Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both PLTW and WPAY fall intoTier 4: Harvest. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | PLTW | WPAY |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 108.09% | 0.00% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 4.48% | 0.00% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.54% | -28.82% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
PLTW (Roundhill PLTR Weekly Income) is a options-based income fund managed by Roundhill. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $240.3M 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.
WPAY (Roundhill WeeklyPay Universe ETF) is a options-based income fund managed by Roundhill. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $373.6M 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.
In the head-to-head battle of PLTW vs WPAY, the choice depends on your specific goal. PLTW wins for Immediate Income with a 103.61% yield. However, PLTW 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:
PLTW
Annual Yield: 103.61%
$8,634/mo
($103,613/year)
Frequency: weekly
WPAY
Annual Yield: 52.42%
$4,369/mo
($52,423/year)
Frequency: weekly
Income Gap: PLTW generates $51,190/year more than WPAY on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $1,023,802 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. PLTW has delivered a superior Total Return of 108.09% 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
WPAY (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -28.82%
-$28,820
Worst unrealized loss
PLTW (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -56.54%
-$56,540
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: WPAY saved investors $27,720 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: WPAY 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.