XYLD vs SPY: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared
S&P 500 Covered Call ETFSPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day
Performance: XYLD 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.comXYLD vs SPY at a glance
S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) and SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) are compared below using data through the November 9, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.
Over the past year, XYLD returned +14.43% with dividends reinvested, compared with +13.39% for SPY. XYLD currently yields 10.33% (trailing 12-month) against 1.01% for SPY. Across five years the total-return gap is +72.21% for SPY vs +40.91% for XYLD.
XYLD 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 | XYLD | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $41.06 | $752.69 |
| Dividend yield | 10.33% (TTM) | 1.01% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | 0.60% | 0.09% |
| Pays | monthly | quarterly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $4.24 (12 payments) | $7.58 (4 payments) |
| Issuer | Global X | 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 -18.66% for XYLD and -24.50% for SPY. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.
XYLD's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.2964 to $0.4088 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.
| XYLD | SPY | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 19, 2026 | $0.3143 | Sep 18, 2026 | $1.89 |
| Sep 21, 2026 | $0.2964 | Jun 18, 2026 | $1.90 |
| Aug 24, 2026 | $0.3109 | Mar 20, 2026 | $1.80 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | $0.4088 | Dec 19, 2025 | $1.99 |
| Jun 22, 2026 | $0.3403 | Sep 19, 2025 | $1.83 |
| May 18, 2026 | $0.4012 | Jun 20, 2025 | $1.76 |
| Apr 20, 2026 | $0.3522 | Mar 21, 2025 | $1.70 |
| Mar 23, 2026 | $0.3905 | Dec 20, 2024 | $1.97 |
| Feb 23, 2026 | $0.3412 | Sep 20, 2024 | $1.75 |
| Jan 20, 2026 | $0.3597 | Jun 21, 2024 | $1.76 |
| Dec 22, 2025 | $0.3252 | Mar 15, 2024 | $1.59 |
| Nov 24, 2025 | $0.4003 | Dec 15, 2023 | $1.91 |
XYLD vs SPY: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, XYLD or SPY?
As of November 9, 2026, XYLD yields 10.33% (trailing 12-month) and SPY yields 1.01% (trailing 12-month), so XYLD currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.
Which has performed better, XYLD or SPY?
Over the past year with dividends reinvested, XYLD returned +14.43% and SPY returned +13.39%. Over five years, XYLD returned +40.91% and SPY returned +72.21%. Past performance does not predict future results.
What would $10,000 in XYLD vs SPY be worth after one year?
With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before November 9, 2026 would have grown to about $11,443 in XYLD and $11,339 in SPY.
Which is cheaper to own, XYLD or SPY?
SPY has the lower expense ratio at 0.09% a year, compared with 0.60% for XYLD. On $10,000 that is roughly $9 vs $60 a year.
How often do XYLD and SPY pay dividends?
XYLD pays monthly (12 payments in the last 12 months) and SPY pays quarterly (4 payments).
Is XYLD 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 XYLD 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 S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) 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 XYLD 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.