RYLD vs IWM: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared
Russell 2000 Covered Call ETFiShares Russell 2000 ETF
Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day
RYLD vs IWM at a glance
This page compares Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD) with iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) using prices and distributions through September 25, 2026. The numbers update automatically after each trading session.
With dividends reinvested, IWM has led over the last 12 months at +19.03% versus +17.67% for RYLD. RYLD currently yields 12.05% (trailing 12-month) against 0.97% for IWM. Across five years the total-return gap is +34.51% for IWM vs +12.07% for RYLD.
The higher-yielding fund (RYLD) 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 | RYLD | IWM |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $15.55 | $281.97 |
| Dividend yield | 12.05% (TTM) | 0.97% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | 0.60% | 0.19% |
| Pays | monthly | quarterly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $1.87 (12 payments) | $2.73 (4 payments) |
| Issuer | Global X | iShares |
| Inception | Apr 18, 2019 | May 23, 2000 |
Performance: RYLD vs IWM
Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.
Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Sep 25, 2025 – Sep 25, 2026
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.
Recent dividend payments
The latest 12 distributions per share for each fund, newest first.
| RYLD | IWM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 21, 2026 | $0.148 | Sep 15, 2026 | $0.750 |
| Aug 24, 2026 | $0.165 | Jun 15, 2026 | $0.695 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | $0.161 | Mar 17, 2026 | $0.442 |
| Jun 22, 2026 | $0.162 | Dec 16, 2025 | $0.842 |
| May 18, 2026 | $0.157 | Sep 16, 2025 | $0.677 |
| Apr 20, 2026 | $0.157 | Jun 16, 2025 | $0.576 |
| Mar 23, 2026 | $0.148 | Mar 18, 2025 | $0.460 |
| Feb 23, 2026 | $0.158 | Dec 17, 2024 | $0.694 |
| Jan 20, 2026 | $0.157 | Sep 25, 2024 | $0.752 |
| Dec 22, 2025 | $0.155 | Jun 11, 2024 | $0.562 |
| Nov 24, 2025 | $0.152 | Mar 21, 2024 | $0.522 |
| Oct 20, 2025 | $0.153 | Dec 20, 2023 | $0.734 |
RYLD vs IWM: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, RYLD or IWM?
As of September 25, 2026, RYLD yields 12.05% (trailing 12-month) and IWM yields 0.97% (trailing 12-month), so RYLD currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.
Which has performed better, RYLD or IWM?
Over the past year with dividends reinvested, RYLD returned +17.67% and IWM returned +19.03%. Over five years, RYLD returned +12.07% and IWM returned +34.51%. Past performance does not predict future results.
What would $10,000 in RYLD vs IWM be worth after one year?
With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before September 25, 2026 would have grown to about $11,767 in RYLD and $11,903 in IWM.
Which is cheaper to own, RYLD or IWM?
IWM has the lower expense ratio at 0.19% a year, compared with 0.60% for RYLD. On $10,000 that is roughly $19 vs $60 a year.
How often do RYLD and IWM pay dividends?
RYLD pays monthly (12 payments in the last 12 months) and IWM pays quarterly (4 payments).
Is RYLD or IWM 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.
Related comparisons
More side-by-side comparisons with RYLD and IWM.
Figures come from end-of-day prices and distributions and are recalculated after every trading session; see our methodology. This page is for education only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Read the full disclosure.