SPYI vs XYLD: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 9, 2026, SPYI yields more: 12.33% (dividend yield) against 10.55% for XYLD. XYLD is cheaper to own at 0.60% a year vs 0.68%. Over the same 4 years (Aug 2022 to Oct 2026), SPYI returned 14.8% a year with distributions reinvested, and XYLD 11.5%.
SPYINeos S&P 500(R) High Income ETF12.33%dividend yield
XYLDGlobal X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF10.55%dividend yield| Compared | SPYI | XYLD |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 12.33% | 10.55% |
| Expense ratio | 0.68% | 0.60% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +11.9% | +14.5% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +18.0% | +14.2% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | — | +7.2% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | — | +8.6% |
| Worst drop since Aug 2022 | -7.8% | -7.0% |
| Share price since Aug 2022 | +7% | −0% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | Neos | Global X |
| Assets | $12.5B | $3.4B |
| Started | 2022 | 2013 |
| Type | Derivative Income | Derivative Income |
Higher yield
SPYI
12.33%
Lower cost
XYLD
0.60%
Better total return
SPYI
14.8%/yr
Smaller worst drop
XYLD
-7.0%
Key facts: SPYI vs XYLD
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 9, 2026, SPYI yields 12.33% (dividend yield) and XYLD yields 10.55% (dividend yield).
- SPYI's expense ratio is 0.68% and XYLD's is 0.60%: $68 vs $60 a year on $10,000.
- From Aug 2022 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in SPYI grew to $17,743 (14.8% a year) and $10,000 in XYLD to $15,723 (11.5% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -7.8% for SPYI and -7.0% for XYLD.
- 10 of SPYI's top ten holdings are also in XYLD's top ten, an overlap of at least 37% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "SPYI vs XYLD: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 9, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/spyi-vs-xyld
$10,000 in each, Aug 2022 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
SPYI became
$17,743
14.8% a year
XYLD became
$15,723
11.5% a year
Year by year
| Year | SPYI | XYLD |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +16.7% | +8.0% |
| 2024 | +19.0% | +19.5% |
| 2023 | +18.1% | +11.1% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
10 of the top ten overlap, at least 37% of each fund.
SPYI
- AAPL Apple Inc7.7%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.6%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp5.9%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.6%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.5%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.4%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.0%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C2.0%
- LLY Eli Lilly and Co1.7%
- TSLA Tesla Inc1.7%
XYLD
- AAPL Apple Inc7.7%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.6%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp6.0%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.6%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.5%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.4%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.1%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C2.0%
- LLY Eli Lilly and Co1.7%
- TSLA Tesla Inc1.7%
SPYI vs XYLD: questions
Is SPYI or XYLD better?
It depends on the job. SPYI pays more today (12.33% vs 10.55%), XYLD costs less, and SPYI has the better total return over Aug 2022 to Oct 2026, with XYLD 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, SPYI or XYLD?
SPYI, at 12.33% against 10.55% for XYLD as of Nov 9, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $1,233 vs $1,055 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SPYI. From Aug 2022 to Oct 2026, it returned 14.8% a year with distributions reinvested, against 11.5% for XYLD. $10,000 became $17,743 vs $15,723.
Which is cheaper, SPYI or XYLD?
XYLD, with a 0.60% expense ratio against 0.68%.
Do SPYI and XYLD hold the same things?
Partly. 10 of their top ten holdings match (AAPL, NVDA, MSFT, AMZN), at least 37% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 9, 2026.