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

NEOS S&P 500 High IncomeS&P 500 Covered Call ETF

Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day

Higher yieldSPYI11.82% vs 10.38%
Better 1-year total returnXYLD+18.92% vs +16.64%
Lower expense ratioXYLD0.60% vs 0.68%

SPYI vs XYLD at a glance

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

With dividends reinvested, XYLD has led over the last 12 months at +18.92% versus +16.64% for SPYI. SPYI currently yields 11.82% (trailing 12-month) against 10.38% for XYLD.

The higher-yielding fund (SPYI) 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.

Key figures for SPYI and XYLD
MetricSPYIXYLD
Last close$53.65$41.66
Dividend yield11.82% (TTM)10.38% (TTM)
Expense ratio0.68%0.60%
Paysmonthlymonthly
Dividends, last 12 months$6.34 (12 payments)$4.32 (12 payments)
IssuerNEOS InvestmentsGlobal X
InceptionAug 31, 2022Jun 22, 2013

Performance: SPYI vs XYLD

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

SPYIXYLD

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
XYLDS&P 500 Covered Call ETF
10.38%
+18.92%Best$41.66$0.296MonthlyGlobal 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%—
XYLDS&P 500 Covered Call ETF+1.44%+6.08%+12.05%+18.92%+26.96%+45.60%

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
XYLDS&P 500 Covered Call ETF$0.296Sep 21, 2026-4.82%$4.32312 payoutsOct 20, 2025: $0.397Nov 24, 2025: $0.40Dec 22, 2025: $0.325Jan 20, 2026: $0.36Feb 23, 2026: $0.341Mar 23, 2026: $0.391Apr 20, 2026: $0.352May 18, 2026: $0.401Jun 22, 2026: $0.34Jul 20, 2026: $0.409Aug 24, 2026: $0.311Sep 21, 2026: $0.296

Recent dividend payments

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

SPYIXYLD
Sep 16, 2026$0.534Sep 21, 2026$0.296
Aug 19, 2026$0.542Aug 24, 2026$0.311
Jul 22, 2026$0.530Jul 20, 2026$0.409
Jun 16, 2026$0.531Jun 22, 2026$0.340
May 20, 2026$0.535May 18, 2026$0.401
Apr 22, 2026$0.525Apr 20, 2026$0.352
Mar 18, 2026$0.510Mar 23, 2026$0.391
Feb 18, 2026$0.522Feb 23, 2026$0.341
Jan 21, 2026$0.531Jan 20, 2026$0.360
Dec 24, 2025$0.532Dec 22, 2025$0.325
Nov 26, 2025$0.522Nov 24, 2025$0.400
Oct 22, 2025$0.527Oct 20, 2025$0.397

SPYI vs XYLD: common questions

Which pays a higher dividend, SPYI or XYLD?

As of September 25, 2026, SPYI yields 11.82% (trailing 12-month) and XYLD yields 10.38% (trailing 12-month), so SPYI currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.

Which has performed better, SPYI or XYLD?

Over the past year with dividends reinvested, SPYI returned +16.64% and XYLD returned +18.92%. Past performance does not predict future results.

What would $10,000 in SPYI vs XYLD 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 $11,892 in XYLD.

Which is cheaper to own, SPYI or XYLD?

XYLD 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 XYLD pay dividends?

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

Is SPYI or XYLD 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 SPYI and XYLD.

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.