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 XMAG fall intoTier 4: Harvest. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | PLTW | XMAG |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 108.09% | 12.39% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 4.48% | 11.88% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.54% | 0.00% |
| 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.
XMAG (Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF) is a options-based income fund managed by Defiance. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $103.1M 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 XMAG, 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
XMAG
Annual Yield: 0.51%
$42/mo
($506/year)
Frequency: annual
Income Gap: PLTW generates $103,107/year more than XMAG on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $2,062,144 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 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.
XMAG (LOWER COST)
0.350%
Annual expense ratio
PLTW (HIGHER COST)
0.990%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 0.64%": That seemingly small difference of 0.640% annually becomes $12,800 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$34,350 in potential portfolio value.
💡 Cost Efficiency Winner: XMAG 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.