Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both SPYH and TLTW fall intoTier 4: Harvest. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | SPYH | TLTW |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 20.31% | 0.00% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 12.49% | 0.00% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.42% | -18.50% |
| Beta | - | 0.90 |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
SPYH (NEOS S&P 500 Hedged) is a options-based income fund managed by NEOS. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $18.2M 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.
TLTW (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF) is a options-based income fund managed by iShares. It tracks the 20+ Year Treasury index across approximately 40 positions. With $1.7B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since May 2023.
Strategy: Generates enhanced income through covered call options on equity holdings, trading upside potential for premium income.
In the head-to-head battle of SPYH vs TLTW, the choice depends on your specific goal. TLTW wins for Immediate Income with a 9.91% yield. However, SPYH 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:
SPYH
Annual Yield: 7.82%
$652/mo
($7,818/year)
Frequency: monthly
TLTW
Annual Yield: 9.91%
$825/mo
($9,905/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: TLTW generates $2,087/year more than SPYH on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $41,745 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. SPYH has delivered a superior Total Return of 20.31% 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.
SPYH (LOWER COST)
0.680%
Annual expense ratio
TLTW (HIGHER COST)
0.990%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 0.31%": That seemingly small difference of 0.310% annually becomes $6,200 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$16,144 in potential portfolio value.
💡 Cost Efficiency Winner: SPYH 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.