MCN vs. ETB

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

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

Performance

MCN vs. ETB - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

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

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%

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%

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

MCN vs. ETB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
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%

Correlation

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

Return for Risk

MCN vs. ETB — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

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

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.

MCN vs. ETB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund (MCN) and Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Income Fund (ETB). 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.

	MCN	ETB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.93	1.88	-0.95
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.43	2.70	-1.27
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.35	-0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.18	2.28	-1.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.68	11.97	-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.

MCN vs. ETB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MCN Sharpe Ratio is 0.93, which is lower than the ETB Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MCN and ETB, 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

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

Drawdowns

MCN vs. ETB - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

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

Volatility

MCN vs. ETB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund (MCN) is 1.82%, while Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Income Fund (ETB) has a volatility of 3.01%. This indicates that MCN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ETB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

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

MCN vs. ETB - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

MCN vs. ETB - Dividend Comparison

MCN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.24%, more than ETB's 8.18% 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 MCN and ETB in my portfolio?

MCN and ETB 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, MCN or ETB?

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

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.