JEPI vs RYLD: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 9, 2026, RYLD yields more: 12.27% (dividend yield) against 7.47% for JEPI. JEPI is cheaper to own at 0.35% a year vs 0.60%. Over the same 6 years (May 2020 to Oct 2026), JEPI returned 10.8% a year with distributions reinvested, and RYLD 8.7%.
| Compared | JEPI | RYLD |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 7.47% | 12.27% |
| Expense ratio | 0.35% | 0.60% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +9.6% | +12.1% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +11.5% | +11.0% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +7.4% | +2.1% |
| Worst drop since May 2020 | -13.0% | -18.7% |
| Share price since May 2020 | +12% | −21% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | JPMorgan | Global X |
| Assets | $46.2B | $1.3B |
| Started | 2020 | 2019 |
| Type | Derivative Income | Derivative Income |
Higher yield
RYLD
12.27%
Lower cost
JEPI
0.35%
Better total return
JEPI
10.8%/yr
Smaller worst drop
JEPI
-13.0%
Key facts: JEPI vs RYLD
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 9, 2026, JEPI yields 7.47% (dividend yield) and RYLD yields 12.27% (dividend yield).
- JEPI's expense ratio is 0.35% and RYLD's is 0.60%: $35 vs $60 a year on $10,000.
- From May 2020 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in JEPI grew to $19,360 (10.8% a year) and $10,000 in RYLD to $17,041 (8.7% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -13.0% for JEPI and -18.7% for RYLD.
- 0 of JEPI's top ten holdings are also in RYLD's top ten.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "JEPI vs RYLD: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 9, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/jepi-vs-ryld
$10,000 in each, May 2020 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
JEPI became
$19,360
10.8% a year
RYLD became
$17,041
8.7% a year
Year by year
| Year | JEPI | RYLD |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +8.1% | +5.6% |
| 2024 | +12.6% | +10.2% |
| 2023 | +9.8% | +0.3% |
| 2022 | −3.5% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | +21.5% | +22.2% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
JEPI
- MA Mastercard Inc Class A2.0%
- AAPL Apple Inc1.9%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp1.9%
- V Visa Inc Class A1.9%
- NEE NextEra Energy Inc1.8%
- JNJ Johnson & Johnson1.8%
- EOG EOG Resources Inc1.8%
- MMM 3M Co1.8%
- JIMXX JPMorgan Prime Money Market IM1.8%
- ABBV AbbVie Inc1.8%
RYLD
- RSSL Global X Russell 2000 ETF103.0%
JEPI vs RYLD: questions
Is JEPI or RYLD better?
It depends on the job. RYLD pays more today (12.27% vs 7.47%), JEPI costs less, and JEPI has the better total return over May 2020 to Oct 2026, with JEPI holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, JEPI or RYLD?
RYLD, at 12.27% against 7.47% for JEPI as of Nov 9, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $1,227 vs $747 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
JEPI. From May 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 10.8% a year with distributions reinvested, against 8.7% for RYLD. $10,000 became $19,360 vs $17,041.
Which is cheaper, JEPI or RYLD?
JEPI, with a 0.35% expense ratio against 0.60%.
Do JEPI and RYLD hold the same things?
Not at the top: none of their top ten holdings match.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. JEPI leads on 5 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 9, 2026.
