ETB vs. MCN

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ETB (Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Income Fund) and MCN (XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund) are both Options Trading funds. Over the past 10 years, ETB returned 8.51%/yr vs 8.03%/yr for MCN. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ETB charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for MCN.

Performance

ETB vs. MCN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Income Fund (ETB) and XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund (MCN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ETB achieves a 5.30% return, which is significantly higher than MCN's 3.06% return. Over the past 10 years, ETB has outperformed MCN with an annualized return of 8.51%, while MCN has yielded a comparatively lower 8.03% annualized return.

ETB

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 1.21%
• YTD: 5.30%
• 6M: 5.69%
• 1Y: 20.84%
• 3Y*: 15.54%
• 5Y*: 7.70%
• 10Y*: 8.51%

MCN

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: -1.24%
• YTD: 3.06%
• 6M: 5.34%
• 1Y: 10.19%
• 3Y*: 2.73%
• 5Y*: 3.83%
• 10Y*: 8.03%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ETB vs. MCN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ETB Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Income Fund	5.30%	11.16%	26.22%	7.50%	-16.59%	23.68%	0.43%	32.40%	-12.75%	9.52%
MCN XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund	3.06%	0.66%	-1.52%	7.02%	6.32%	29.92%	15.25%	19.99%	-12.04%	9.91%

Correlation

The correlation between ETB and MCN is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 28, 2005	0.52

The correlation between ETB and MCN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.47 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ETB vs. MCN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ETB

ETB Risk / Return Rank: 44
ETB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
ETB Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
ETB Omega Ratio Rank: 42
ETB Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
ETB Martin Ratio Rank: 60

MCN

MCN Risk / Return Rank: 12
MCN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
MCN Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
MCN Omega Ratio Rank: 11
MCN Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
MCN Martin Ratio Rank: 12

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ETB vs. MCN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Income Fund (ETB) and XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund (MCN). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ETB	MCN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	0.93	+0.95
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	1.43	+1.27
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.16	+0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	1.18	+1.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.97	3.68	+8.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ETB vs. MCN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ETB Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is higher than the MCN Sharpe Ratio of 0.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ETB and MCN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ETB	MCN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	0.93	+0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.21	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.43	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.28	+0.13

Drawdowns

ETB vs. MCN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ETB drawdown since its inception was -51.09%, smaller than the maximum MCN drawdown of -65.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETB and MCN.

Drawdown Indicators

	ETB	MCN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.09%	-65.11%	+14.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.16%	-8.62%	-0.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.09%	-24.47%	+4.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.43%	-24.47%	+1.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.08%	-38.79%	-6.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-3.64%	+3.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.72%	-9.56%	+2.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.74%	2.77%	-1.03%

Volatility

ETB vs. MCN - Volatility Comparison

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Income Fund (ETB) has a higher volatility of 3.01% compared to XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund (MCN) at 1.82%. This indicates that ETB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MCN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ETB	MCN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.01%	1.82%	+1.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.08%	7.57%	+1.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.14%	10.97%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.26%	18.27%	-2.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.02%	18.80%	-0.78%

ETB vs. MCN - Expense Ratio Comparison

ETB has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than MCN's 0.02% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ETB vs. MCN - Dividend Comparison

ETB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.18%, less than MCN's 12.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ETB Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Income Fund	8.18%	8.31%	8.21%	8.62%	9.63%	7.57%	8.64%	7.90%	9.64%	7.75%	7.85%	7.77%
MCN XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund	12.24%	12.00%	10.73%	9.56%	9.29%	8.98%	10.67%	10.86%	11.69%	9.33%	9.35%	9.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ETB and MCN in my portfolio?

ETB and MCN have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ETB or MCN?

ETB has higher volatility (3.01%) compared to MCN (1.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETB dropped -51.09% vs MCN's -65.11%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ETB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 0.93), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.