XPAY vs. SPYT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XPAY (Roundhill S&P 500 Target 20 Managed Distribution ETF) and SPYT (Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, XPAY returned 27.22% vs 23.29% for SPYT. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XPAY charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for SPYT.

Performance

XPAY vs. SPYT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Roundhill S&P 500 Target 20 Managed Distribution ETF (XPAY) and Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XPAY achieves a 10.83% return, which is significantly higher than SPYT's 9.70% return.

XPAY

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 5.07%
• YTD: 10.83%
• 6M: 10.69%
• 1Y: 27.22%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPYT

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 3.81%
• YTD: 9.70%
• 6M: 9.51%
• 1Y: 23.29%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XPAY vs. SPYT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XPAY Roundhill S&P 500 Target 20 Managed Distribution ETF	10.83%	16.78%	3.17%
SPYT Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF	9.70%	12.41%	2.58%

Correlation

The correlation between XPAY and SPYT is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2024	0.95

The correlation between XPAY and SPYT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XPAY vs. SPYT — Risk / Return Rank

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

XPAY

XPAY Risk / Return Rank: 67
XPAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
XPAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
XPAY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
XPAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
XPAY Martin Ratio Rank: 71

SPYT

SPYT Risk / Return Rank: 65
SPYT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPYT Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SPYT Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPYT Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SPYT Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

XPAY vs. SPYT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Roundhill S&P 500 Target 20 Managed Distribution ETF (XPAY) and Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT). 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.

	XPAY	SPYT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	2.16	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	2.98	+0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.43	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	2.93	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.50	13.59	-0.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XPAY vs. SPYT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPAY Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the SPYT Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPAY and SPYT, 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

	XPAY	SPYT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	2.16	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.21	1.08	+0.13

Drawdowns

XPAY vs. SPYT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPAY drawdown since its inception was -18.20%, roughly equal to the maximum SPYT drawdown of -18.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPAY and SPYT.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPAY	SPYT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.20%	-18.25%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.34%	-8.00%	-1.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.68%	-0.68%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-2.00%	-0.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.02%	1.72%	+0.30%

Volatility

XPAY vs. SPYT - Volatility Comparison

Roundhill S&P 500 Target 20 Managed Distribution ETF (XPAY) has a higher volatility of 2.76% compared to Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT) at 2.54%. This indicates that XPAY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XPAY	SPYT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.76%	2.54%	+0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.82%	8.32%	+0.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.82%	10.86%	+0.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.70%	14.80%	+1.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.70%	14.80%	+1.90%

XPAY vs. SPYT - Expense Ratio Comparison

XPAY has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than SPYT's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

XPAY vs. SPYT - Dividend Comparison

XPAY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 20.37%, less than SPYT's 20.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
SPYT Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF	20.73%	21.40%	17.37%
XPAY Roundhill S&P 500 Target 20 Managed Distribution ETF	20.37%	21.21%	3.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XPAY and SPYT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, XPAY and SPYT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, XPAY or SPYT?

XPAY has higher volatility (2.76%) compared to SPYT (2.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XPAY dropped -18.20% vs SPYT's -18.25%.

Which ETF is better, XPAY or SPYT?

On 1-year performance, XPAY leads with 27.22% vs 23.29% for SPYT. On fees, XPAY is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, SPYT has been the lower-risk option at 2.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XPAY or SPYT?

Over the 1-year period, XPAY has performed better with a 27.22% return vs 23.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XPAY or SPYT?

XPAY is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for SPYT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XPAY or SPYT?

SPYT has the higher dividend yield at 20.73%, compared with 20.37% for XPAY.

What is the main difference between XPAY and SPYT?

They also come from different issuers: Roundhill and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for XPAY and 0.87% for SPYT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XPAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 2.16), 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.