SPYI vs XYLD
NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF against Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF. Headline yields tell you almost nothing here — below is what each fund actually distributed, what happened to the share price, and the total return that combination produced.
Over the last 12 months XYLD delivered a total return of +17.2% versus +16.0% for SPYI — that is price change plus every distribution actually paid. SPYI advertises a higher headline yield, but headline yield is not what landed in your account.
Prices and 1-year performance as of Sep 1, 2026; distributions through Aug 19, 2026.
- Distributions received (12mo)
- +12.3%
- Share price change
- +3.7%
- Total return
- +16.0%
$6.33 paid per share across 12 distributions.
- Distributions received (12mo)
- +11.1%
- Share price change
- +6.1%
- Total return
- +17.2%
$4.33 paid per share across 12 distributions.
Side by side
| Metric | SPYI | XYLD |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year total return | +16.0% | +17.2%win |
| Headline distribution yield | 11.81%higher | 10.44% |
| Paid per share (12mo) | $6.33higher | $4.33 |
| Share price change (1y) | +3.7% | +6.1%better |
| Payout trend (last 3 vs prior 3) | +2.1%better | -7.3% |
| Expense ratio | 0.68% | 0.60%cheaper |
| Distribution frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Payouts in last 12mo | 12 | 12 |
| Fund size | $11.1Bbigger | $3.2B |
| Share price | $53.36 | $41.32 |
| Next ex-distribution | Sep 18, 2026 | Sep 24, 2026 |
| Last distribution | $0.54 · Aug 19, 2026 | $0.31 · Aug 24, 2026 |
| Fund family | NEOS | Global X |
Distribution history
Last 12 declared payouts per share. Shrinking bars mean the option premium isn't holding up.
- •You want a more moderate 11.81% option-income stream without giving up most of the underlying growth.
- •Its last 12 months were net positive (+16.0%) after distributions.
- •You prefer a lower 0.68% annual fee.
- •Monthly distributions fit how you draw income.
- •Fund size of $11.1B matters to you for liquidity.
- •You want a more moderate 10.44% option-income stream without giving up most of the underlying growth.
- •Its last 12 months were net positive (+17.2%) after distributions.
- •You prefer a lower 0.60% annual fee.
- •Monthly distributions fit how you draw income.
- •Fund size of $3.2B matters to you for liquidity.
Other comparisons
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Frequently asked
Is SPYI or XYLD the better investment?
Measured on 12-month total return — share-price change plus every distribution paid — XYLD came out ahead: +17.2% versus +16.0%. Past total return is not a forecast, but it is a far better guide than headline yield.
What is the yield of SPYI vs XYLD?
SPYI currently shows a distribution yield of 11.81% and XYLD shows 10.44%. Over the trailing 12 months SPYI actually paid $6.33 per share and XYLD paid $4.33 per share.
Does SPYI lose value over time?
SPYI's share price changed +3.7% over the last 12 months. The price held up, so the distributions were not being funded by NAV erosion over this period.
Which fund charges more, SPYI or XYLD?
SPYI charges 0.68% a year and XYLD charges 0.60%. Fees come straight out of the option premium that funds your distribution.
How often do SPYI and XYLD pay?
SPYI pays monthly (12 distributions in the last 12 months) and XYLD pays monthly (12 distributions). Paying more often does not increase total return — it just splits the same amount into smaller cheques.
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