JEPI vs SPY: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared
JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETFSPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day
Performance: JEPI vs SPY
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.comJEPI vs SPY at a glance
This page compares JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) with SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) using prices and distributions through November 9, 2026. The numbers update automatically after each trading session.
With dividends reinvested, SPY has led over the last 12 months at +13.39% versus +10.49% for JEPI. JEPI currently yields 7.92% (trailing 12-month) against 1.01% for SPY. Across five years the total-return gap is +72.21% for SPY vs +44.21% for JEPI.
The higher-yielding fund (JEPI) has trailed on 1-year total return. Yield only measures the income a fund pays; total return also counts the change in share price, so it is the fuller basis for comparing the two.
| Metric | JEPI | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $57.59 | $752.69 |
| Dividend yield | 7.92% (TTM) | 1.01% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | 0.35% | 0.09% |
| Pays | monthly | quarterly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $4.56 (12 payments) | $7.58 (4 payments) |
| Issuer | J.P. Morgan | SPDR |
| 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 1,265 shared trading dates from October 26, 2021 to November 9, 2026, the largest observed peak-to-trough decline with dividends reinvested was -13.72% for JEPI and -24.50% for SPY. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.
JEPI's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.3413 to $0.4476 per share across 12 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.
SPY's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $1.80 to $1.99 per share across 4 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.
| JEPI | SPY | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2, 2026 | $0.3468 | Sep 18, 2026 | $1.89 |
| Oct 1, 2026 | $0.3413 | Jun 18, 2026 | $1.90 |
| Sep 1, 2026 | $0.3714 | Mar 20, 2026 | $1.80 |
| Aug 3, 2026 | $0.3666 | Dec 19, 2025 | $1.99 |
| Jul 1, 2026 | $0.3872 | Sep 19, 2025 | $1.83 |
| Jun 1, 2026 | $0.389 | Jun 20, 2025 | $1.76 |
| May 1, 2026 | $0.4476 | Mar 21, 2025 | $1.70 |
| Apr 1, 2026 | $0.4205 | Dec 20, 2024 | $1.97 |
| Mar 2, 2026 | $0.3513 | Sep 20, 2024 | $1.75 |
| Feb 2, 2026 | $0.3444 | Jun 21, 2024 | $1.76 |
| Dec 31, 2025 | $0.4271 | Mar 15, 2024 | $1.59 |
| Dec 1, 2025 | $0.3706 | Dec 15, 2023 | $1.91 |
JEPI vs SPY: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, JEPI or SPY?
As of November 9, 2026, JEPI yields 7.92% (trailing 12-month) and SPY yields 1.01% (trailing 12-month), so JEPI currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.
Which has performed better, JEPI or SPY?
Over the past year with dividends reinvested, JEPI returned +10.49% and SPY returned +13.39%. Over five years, JEPI returned +44.21% and SPY returned +72.21%. Past performance does not predict future results.
What would $10,000 in JEPI vs SPY be worth after one year?
With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before November 9, 2026 would have grown to about $11,049 in JEPI and $11,339 in SPY.
Which is cheaper to own, JEPI or SPY?
SPY has the lower expense ratio at 0.09% a year, compared with 0.35% for JEPI. On $10,000 that is roughly $9 vs $35 a year.
How often do JEPI and SPY pay dividends?
JEPI pays monthly (12 payments in the last 12 months) and SPY pays quarterly (4 payments).
Is JEPI or SPY 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 JEPI and SPY beyond the yield
Use the same dates to compare an income strategy with its index alternative. Look at both reinvested total return and price return before using either fund's payout rate in an income scenario.
Review JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) payment history and SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) 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 JEPI and SPY.
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.