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
XYLD 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 September 25, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.
Over the past year, XYLD returned +18.92% with dividends reinvested, compared with +18.48% for SPY. XYLD currently yields 10.38% (trailing 12-month) against 0.98% for SPY. Across five years the total-return gap is +85.81% for SPY vs +45.60% 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 | $41.66 | $771.35 |
| Dividend yield | 10.38% (TTM) | 0.98% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | 0.60% | 0.09% |
| Pays | monthly | quarterly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $4.32 (12 payments) | $7.58 (4 payments) |
| Issuer | Global X | SPDR |
| Inception | Jun 22, 2013 | Jan 23, 1993 |
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 · 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.
| XYLD | SPY | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 21, 2026 | $0.296 | Sep 18, 2026 | $1.89 |
| Aug 24, 2026 | $0.311 | Jun 18, 2026 | $1.90 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | $0.409 | Mar 20, 2026 | $1.80 |
| Jun 22, 2026 | $0.340 | Dec 19, 2025 | $1.99 |
| May 18, 2026 | $0.401 | Sep 19, 2025 | $1.83 |
| Apr 20, 2026 | $0.352 | Jun 20, 2025 | $1.76 |
| Mar 23, 2026 | $0.391 | Mar 21, 2025 | $1.70 |
| Feb 23, 2026 | $0.341 | Dec 20, 2024 | $1.97 |
| Jan 20, 2026 | $0.360 | Sep 20, 2024 | $1.75 |
| Dec 22, 2025 | $0.325 | Jun 21, 2024 | $1.76 |
| Nov 24, 2025 | $0.400 | Mar 15, 2024 | $1.60 |
| Oct 20, 2025 | $0.397 | Dec 15, 2023 | $1.91 |
XYLD vs SPY: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, XYLD or SPY?
As of September 25, 2026, XYLD yields 10.38% (trailing 12-month) and SPY yields 0.98% (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 +18.92% and SPY returned +18.48%. Over five years, XYLD returned +45.60% and SPY returned +85.81%. 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 September 25, 2026 would have grown to about $11,892 in XYLD and $11,848 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.
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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.