IWMI vs RYLD: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared
NEOS Russell 2000® High IncomeRussell 2000 Covered Call ETF
Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day
Performance: IWMI vs RYLD
Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.
Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Nov 7, 2025 – Nov 9, 2026
DividendDuel.comIWMI vs RYLD at a glance
NEOS Russell 2000® High Income (IWMI) and Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD) are compared below using data through the November 9, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.
Over the past year, IWMI returned +17.97% with dividends reinvested, compared with +13.61% for RYLD. IWMI currently yields 14.67% (trailing 12-month) against 12.08% for RYLD.
IWMI leads on both current yield and 1-year total return. Yields and returns move with markets, so check the longer periods below before drawing conclusions.
| Metric | IWMI | RYLD |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $49.36 | $15.45 |
| Dividend yield | 14.67% (TTM) | 12.08% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | 0.68% | 0.60% |
| Pays | monthly | monthly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $7.24 (12 payments) | $1.87 (12 payments) |
| Issuer | NEOS Investments | Global X |
| Inception | — | — |
Overview
Key fund stats as of the latest close.
Total returns
Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.
Downside and distribution variability
Income and ending returns do not describe the whole investment experience.
Across 597 shared trading dates from June 25, 2024 to November 9, 2026, the largest observed peak-to-trough decline with dividends reinvested was -23.88% for IWMI and -19.05% for RYLD. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.
IWMI's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.571 to $0.6373 per share across 12 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.
RYLD's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.1475 to $0.1653 per share across 12 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.
Fund expense ratios are annual operating costs, not a bill added to the historical returns shown here. Trading spreads, brokerage costs and personal taxes can reduce an investor's realized return.
Recent distributions
The latest 12 distributions per share, newest first. Dates are reported ex-dividend dates, not cash payment dates.
| IWMI | RYLD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 21, 2026 | $0.5728 | Oct 19, 2026 | $0.1478 |
| Sep 16, 2026 | $0.6075 | Sep 21, 2026 | $0.1475 |
| Aug 19, 2026 | $0.6373 | Aug 24, 2026 | $0.1653 |
| Jul 22, 2026 | $0.625 | Jul 20, 2026 | $0.1605 |
| Jun 16, 2026 | $0.6277 | Jun 22, 2026 | $0.1618 |
| May 20, 2026 | $0.6046 | May 18, 2026 | $0.1568 |
| Apr 22, 2026 | $0.612 | Apr 20, 2026 | $0.1566 |
| Mar 18, 2026 | $0.571 | Mar 23, 2026 | $0.1475 |
| Feb 18, 2026 | $0.6018 | Feb 23, 2026 | $0.1584 |
| Jan 21, 2026 | $0.6082 | Jan 20, 2026 | $0.1573 |
| Dec 24, 2025 | $0.5991 | Dec 22, 2025 | $0.1551 |
| Nov 26, 2025 | $0.5732 | Nov 24, 2025 | $0.1518 |
IWMI vs RYLD: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, IWMI or RYLD?
As of November 9, 2026, IWMI yields 14.67% (trailing 12-month) and RYLD yields 12.08% (trailing 12-month), so IWMI currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.
Which has performed better, IWMI or RYLD?
Over the past year with dividends reinvested, IWMI returned +17.97% and RYLD returned +13.61%. Past performance does not predict future results.
What would $10,000 in IWMI vs RYLD be worth after one year?
With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before November 9, 2026 would have grown to about $11,797 in IWMI and $11,361 in RYLD.
Which is cheaper to own, IWMI or RYLD?
RYLD has the lower expense ratio at 0.60% a year, compared with 0.68% for IWMI. On $10,000 that is roughly $60 vs $68 a year.
How often do IWMI and RYLD pay dividends?
IWMI pays monthly (12 payments in the last 12 months) and RYLD pays monthly (12 payments).
Is IWMI or RYLD the better investment?
It depends on your goals, time horizon and tax situation. Income-focused investors often weigh yield and payment frequency, while long-term investors usually compare total return and fees. Dividend Duel is an educational tool and does not provide investment advice.
Research IWMI and RYLD beyond the yield
Payment frequency describes the schedule, not the sustainability of income. Compare the range of recorded payments, drawdowns and total return, and review the issuer's option strategy separately.
Review NEOS Russell 2000® High Income (IWMI) payment history and Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD) payment history before choosing assumptions for the dividend reinvestment calculator. Run each scenario separately; the calculator uses your rates rather than importing these historical returns.
For a cash target, use the income goal calculator. Read our guide to comparing dividend ETFs and data and editorial approach for context on the historical figures.
Related comparisons
More side-by-side comparisons with IWMI and RYLD.
Published by Delta Dividends LLC. This page is for education only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Read the full disclosure.