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

S&P 500 Covered Call ETFRussell 2000 Covered Call ETF

Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day

Higher yieldRYLD12.05% vs 10.38%
Better 1-year total returnXYLD+18.92% vs +17.67%
Better 5-year total returnXYLD+45.60% vs +12.07%
Lower expense ratioTieBoth charge 0.60%

XYLD vs RYLD at a glance

This page compares S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) 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, XYLD has led over the last 12 months at +18.92% versus +17.67% for RYLD. RYLD currently yields 12.05% (trailing 12-month) against 10.38% for XYLD. Across five years the total-return gap is +45.60% for XYLD 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.

Key figures for XYLD and RYLD
MetricXYLDRYLD
Last close$41.66$15.55
Dividend yield10.38% (TTM)12.05% (TTM)
Expense ratio0.60%0.60%
Paysmonthlymonthly
Dividends, last 12 months$4.32 (12 payments)$1.87 (12 payments)
IssuerGlobal XGlobal X
InceptionJun 22, 2013Apr 18, 2019

Performance: XYLD vs RYLD

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

XYLDRYLD

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
XYLDS&P 500 Covered Call ETF
10.38%
+18.92%Best$41.66$0.296MonthlyGlobal X
RYLDRussell 2000 Covered Call ETF
12.05%
+17.67%$15.55$0.148MonthlyGlobal X

Total returns

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

ETF1M3M6M1Y2Y5Y
XYLDS&P 500 Covered Call ETF+1.44%+6.08%+12.05%+18.92%+26.96%+45.60%
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
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
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.

XYLDRYLD
Sep 21, 2026$0.296Sep 21, 2026$0.148
Aug 24, 2026$0.311Aug 24, 2026$0.165
Jul 20, 2026$0.409Jul 20, 2026$0.161
Jun 22, 2026$0.340Jun 22, 2026$0.162
May 18, 2026$0.401May 18, 2026$0.157
Apr 20, 2026$0.352Apr 20, 2026$0.157
Mar 23, 2026$0.391Mar 23, 2026$0.148
Feb 23, 2026$0.341Feb 23, 2026$0.158
Jan 20, 2026$0.360Jan 20, 2026$0.157
Dec 22, 2025$0.325Dec 22, 2025$0.155
Nov 24, 2025$0.400Nov 24, 2025$0.152
Oct 20, 2025$0.397Oct 20, 2025$0.153

XYLD vs RYLD: common questions

Which pays a higher dividend, XYLD or RYLD?

As of September 25, 2026, XYLD yields 10.38% (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, XYLD or RYLD?

Over the past year with dividends reinvested, XYLD returned +18.92% and RYLD returned +17.67%. Over five years, XYLD returned +45.60% and RYLD returned +12.07%. Past performance does not predict future results.

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

With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before September 25, 2026 would have grown to about $11,892 in XYLD and $11,767 in RYLD.

Which is cheaper to own, XYLD or RYLD?

Both charge an expense ratio of 0.60%.

How often do XYLD and RYLD pay dividends?

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

Is XYLD 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.