SPYI vs RYLD: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared

NEOS S&P 500 High IncomeRussell 2000 Covered Call ETF

Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day

Higher yieldRYLD12.05% vs 11.82%
Better 1-year total returnRYLD+17.67% vs +16.64%
Lower expense ratioRYLD0.60% vs 0.68%

SPYI vs RYLD at a glance

This page compares NEOS S&P 500 High Income (SPYI) with Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD) using prices and distributions through September 25, 2026. The numbers update automatically after each trading session.

With dividends reinvested, RYLD has led over the last 12 months at +17.67% versus +16.64% for SPYI. RYLD currently yields 12.05% (trailing 12-month) against 11.82% for SPYI.

RYLD 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.

Key figures for SPYI and RYLD
MetricSPYIRYLD
Last close$53.65$15.55
Dividend yield11.82% (TTM)12.05% (TTM)
Expense ratio0.68%0.60%
Paysmonthlymonthly
Dividends, last 12 months$6.34 (12 payments)$1.87 (12 payments)
IssuerNEOS InvestmentsGlobal X
InceptionAug 31, 2022Apr 18, 2019

Performance: SPYI vs RYLD

Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.

SPYIRYLD

Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Sep 25, 2025 – Sep 25, 2026

DividendDuel.com

Overview

Key fund stats as of the latest close.

ETFTTM yield1Y total returnLast closeLast dividendPaysIssuer
SPYINEOS S&P 500 High Income
11.82%
+16.64%$53.65$0.534MonthlyNEOS Investments
RYLDRussell 2000 Covered Call ETF
12.05%
+17.67%Best$15.55$0.148MonthlyGlobal X

Total returns

Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.

ETF1M3M6M1Y2Y5Y
SPYINEOS S&P 500 High Income+1.24%+5.97%+14.38%+16.64%+33.87%—
RYLDRussell 2000 Covered Call ETF-3.46%+0.93%+10.46%+17.67%+23.54%+12.07%

Dividends

Latest payout, trailing 12-month total and the last 12 distributions.

ETFLatest payoutvs. priorTrailing 12MRecent payouts
SPYINEOS S&P 500 High Income$0.534Sep 16, 2026-1.48%$6.34112 payoutsOct 22, 2025: $0.527Nov 26, 2025: $0.522Dec 24, 2025: $0.532Jan 21, 2026: $0.531Feb 18, 2026: $0.522Mar 18, 2026: $0.51Apr 22, 2026: $0.525May 20, 2026: $0.535Jun 16, 2026: $0.531Jul 22, 2026: $0.53Aug 19, 2026: $0.542Sep 16, 2026: $0.534
RYLDRussell 2000 Covered Call ETF$0.148Sep 21, 2026-10.30%$1.87312 payoutsOct 20, 2025: $0.153Nov 24, 2025: $0.152Dec 22, 2025: $0.155Jan 20, 2026: $0.157Feb 23, 2026: $0.158Mar 23, 2026: $0.148Apr 20, 2026: $0.157May 18, 2026: $0.157Jun 22, 2026: $0.162Jul 20, 2026: $0.161Aug 24, 2026: $0.165Sep 21, 2026: $0.148

Recent dividend payments

The latest 12 distributions per share for each fund, newest first.

SPYIRYLD
Sep 16, 2026$0.534Sep 21, 2026$0.148
Aug 19, 2026$0.542Aug 24, 2026$0.165
Jul 22, 2026$0.530Jul 20, 2026$0.161
Jun 16, 2026$0.531Jun 22, 2026$0.162
May 20, 2026$0.535May 18, 2026$0.157
Apr 22, 2026$0.525Apr 20, 2026$0.157
Mar 18, 2026$0.510Mar 23, 2026$0.148
Feb 18, 2026$0.522Feb 23, 2026$0.158
Jan 21, 2026$0.531Jan 20, 2026$0.157
Dec 24, 2025$0.532Dec 22, 2025$0.155
Nov 26, 2025$0.522Nov 24, 2025$0.152
Oct 22, 2025$0.527Oct 20, 2025$0.153

SPYI vs RYLD: common questions

Which pays a higher dividend, SPYI or RYLD?

As of September 25, 2026, SPYI yields 11.82% (trailing 12-month) and RYLD yields 12.05% (trailing 12-month), so RYLD currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.

Which has performed better, SPYI or RYLD?

Over the past year with dividends reinvested, SPYI returned +16.64% and RYLD returned +17.67%. Past performance does not predict future results.

What would $10,000 in SPYI vs RYLD be worth after one year?

With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before September 25, 2026 would have grown to about $11,664 in SPYI and $11,767 in RYLD.

Which is cheaper to own, SPYI or RYLD?

RYLD has the lower expense ratio at 0.60% a year, compared with 0.68% for SPYI. On $10,000 that is roughly $60 vs $68 a year.

How often do SPYI and RYLD pay dividends?

SPYI pays monthly (12 payments in the last 12 months) and RYLD pays monthly (12 payments).

Is SPYI 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.

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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.