XYLD vs. IVVW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XYLD (Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF) and IVVW (iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF) are both Derivative Income funds - XYLD tracks the Cboe S&P 500 BuyWrite Index while IVVW tracks the Cboe S&P 500 Enhanced 1% OTM BuyWrite Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, XYLD returned 17.66% vs 20.07% for IVVW. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XYLD charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IVVW.

Performance

XYLD vs. IVVW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) and iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with XYLD having a 4.96% return and IVVW slightly lower at 4.84%.

XYLD

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 2.00%
• YTD: 4.96%
• 6M: 6.48%
• 1Y: 17.66%
• 3Y*: 11.27%
• 5Y*: 7.72%
• 10Y*: 8.25%

IVVW

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 1.90%
• YTD: 4.84%
• 6M: 6.58%
• 1Y: 20.07%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XYLD vs. IVVW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XYLD Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF	4.96%	8.02%	14.44%
IVVW iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF	4.84%	11.71%	12.90%

Correlation

The correlation between XYLD and IVVW is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2024	0.90

The correlation between XYLD and IVVW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

XYLD vs. IVVW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XYLD	IVVW
Technology	35.6%	35.6%
Financial Services	11.8%	11.8%
Communication Services	11.2%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.5%	8.5%
Industrials	8.3%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

XYLD vs. IVVW — Risk / Return Rank

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

XYLD

XYLD Risk / Return Rank: 82
XYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
XYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
XYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 92
XYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
XYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 85

IVVW

IVVW Risk / Return Rank: 82
IVVW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
IVVW Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
IVVW Omega Ratio Rank: 91
IVVW Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
IVVW Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

XYLD vs. IVVW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) and iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW). 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.

	XYLD	IVVW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.71	2.73	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.87	3.77	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	1.61	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.35	3.47	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.84	19.13	-1.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XYLD vs. IVVW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XYLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.71, which is comparable to the IVVW Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XYLD and IVVW, 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

	XYLD	IVVW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.71	2.73	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	1.07	-0.47

Drawdowns

XYLD vs. IVVW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XYLD drawdown since its inception was -33.46%, which is greater than IVVW's maximum drawdown of -16.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XYLD and IVVW.

Drawdown Indicators

	XYLD	IVVW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.46%	-16.79%	-16.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.29%	-5.81%	+0.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.53%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.66%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.46%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-0.09%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.72%	-1.75%	-1.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.99%	1.05%	-0.06%

Volatility

XYLD vs. IVVW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) is 0.88%, while iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW) has a volatility of 1.13%. This indicates that XYLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IVVW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XYLD	IVVW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.88%	1.13%	-0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.37%	6.07%	-0.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.55%	7.40%	-0.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.22%	12.66%	-1.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.21%	12.66%	+1.55%

XYLD vs. IVVW - Expense Ratio Comparison

XYLD has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than IVVW's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

XYLD vs. IVVW - Dividend Comparison

XYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.52%, less than IVVW's 19.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IVVW iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF	19.70%	18.55%	13.72%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XYLD Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF	10.52%	10.51%	11.54%	10.51%	13.43%	9.07%	7.93%	5.76%	7.12%	5.18%	3.23%	4.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XYLD and IVVW in my portfolio?

XYLD and IVVW have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XYLD or IVVW?

IVVW has higher volatility (1.13%) compared to XYLD (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XYLD dropped -33.46% vs IVVW's -16.79%.

Which ETF is better, XYLD or IVVW?

On 1-year performance, IVVW leads with 20.07% vs 17.66% for XYLD. On fees, IVVW is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, XYLD has been the lower-risk option at 0.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XYLD or IVVW?

Over the 1-year period, IVVW has performed better with a 20.07% return vs 17.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XYLD or IVVW?

IVVW is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for XYLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XYLD or IVVW?

IVVW has the higher dividend yield at 19.70%, compared with 10.52% for XYLD.

What is the main difference between XYLD and IVVW?

XYLD tracks Cboe S&P 500 BuyWrite Index, while IVVW tracks Cboe S&P 500 Enhanced 1% OTM BuyWrite Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for XYLD and 0.25% for IVVW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVVW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 2.71), 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.