IWMW vs RYLD: Income Fund Comparison
iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite - US (IWMW) and GlobalX Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF - US (RYLD) are both income-focused funds. Below is our independent side-by-side review using the Dependable Income Investing 13-factor scoring system — designed specifically for income investors seeking reliable, sustainable distributions.
Also see: IWMW individual review · RYLD individual review
IWMW: Expense ratio is 0.39 percent as of the current prospectus which is low for an options ETF. RYLD: Total expense ratio is 0.60% which is reasonable for a covered call ETF. IWMW the fund launched March 14 2024 so it has less than two years of operating history. RYLD fund inception date was April 17th 2019 - over 6 years of history as of review date. Full Dependability and Return scores for both funds are available in the app.
| IWMW | RYLD | |
|---|---|---|
| Fund Name | iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite - US | GlobalX Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF - US |
| Fund Type | Index Based Fund | Index Based Fund |
| Exchange | NYSE/NASDAQ | NYSE/NASDAQ |
| Last Reviewed | 2025-07-10 | 2026-03-06 |
| Author | Adam Hyde, Income Investing Analyst | |
🔒 Full scores available — with Premium subscription
Compare Performance — Free →Fund Attributes: IWMW vs RYLD 20% of overall score
Fund Attributes cover the foundational characteristics of each fund: cost, company backing, track record, and size. These factors reflect stability and cost-efficiency for long-term income investors.
Expense ratio is 0.39 percent as of the current prospectus which is low for an options ETF.
Total expense ratio is 0.60% which is reasonable for a covered call ETF.
The total assets managed by iShares are in the trillions.
Mirae Asset Global Investments - a South Korean financial services company - manages over $632 billion in assets worldwide.
The fund launched March 14 2024 so it has less than two years of operating history.
Fund inception date was April 17th 2019 - over 6 years of history as of review date.
Net assets are $25 million as of July 2025 which is small for an ETF.
$1.30 Billion in assets under management as of March 2026.
Risk: IWMW vs RYLD 35% of overall score
Risk factors evaluate how each fund manages volatility, diversification, and the nature of its underlying assets — critical considerations for income investors who prioritise capital preservation.
Similar to the market.
Beta is 0.69 vs SPY (2019-05-03 to 2026-03-06) which is lower than the overall market.
See the full Risk analysis for both IWMW and RYLD — volatility ratings, diversification scores, and analyst notes.
View Plans →Return: IWMW vs RYLD 45% of overall score
Return factors assess income generation quality: current yield, distribution consistency, price history, and payment frequency. This is the most heavily weighted category for income investors.
The fund pays distributions monthly.
Monthly distributions.
See the full Return analysis for both IWMW and RYLD — yield ratings, distribution consistency scores, and capital history.
View Plans →Our Review Methodology
Every fund reviewed on Dependable Income Investing is scored using our 13-factor Fund Report Card, organised into three weighted categories: Fund Attributes (20%), Risk (35%), and Return (45%). Each criterion is rated 1–5 by our analysts based on publicly available fund data.
We also calculate a Dependability Score — a weighted composite of six income-specific factors ranked by importance for retirement income investors: Yield Stability, Yield, Volatility, Capital History, Fund Risk, and Underlying Assets. This score answers the question income investors care about most: can I depend on this fund to pay me reliably?
Full scores, ratings, and analyst notes for both IWMW and RYLD are available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
See our full scoring methodology →
Frequently Asked Questions: IWMW vs RYLD
Which has a lower expense ratio, IWMW or RYLD?
IWMW: Expense ratio is 0.39 percent as of the current prospectus which is low for an options ETF.
RYLD: Total expense ratio is 0.60% which is reasonable for a covered call ETF.
Which fund has more assets under management, IWMW or RYLD?
IWMW: Net assets are $25 million as of July 2025 which is small for an ETF.
RYLD: $1.30 Billion in assets under management as of March 2026.
Which fund has been trading longer, IWMW or RYLD?
IWMW: The fund launched March 14 2024 so it has less than two years of operating history.
RYLD: Fund inception date was April 17th 2019 - over 6 years of history as of review date.
Who manages IWMW vs RYLD?
IWMW: The total assets managed by iShares are in the trillions.
RYLD: Mirae Asset Global Investments - a South Korean financial services company - manages over $632 billion in assets worldwide.
Where can I see the full IWMW vs RYLD comparison with scores?
The complete side-by-side comparison — including all Risk and Return scores, analyst notes, Overall Score, and Dependability Score for both funds — is available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
What is the difference between IWMW and RYLD?
iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite - US is a Index Based Fund. Expense ratio is 0.39 percent as of the current prospectus which is low for an options ETF. GlobalX Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF - US is a Index Based Fund. Total expense ratio is 0.60% which is reasonable for a covered call ETF. Full comparison including Dependability Score is available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
Which is better for income investors, IWMW or RYLD?
IWMW: Expense ratio is 0.39 percent as of the current prospectus which is low for an options ETF. The fund launched March 14 2024 so it has less than two years of operating history. RYLD: Total expense ratio is 0.60% which is reasonable for a covered call ETF. Fund inception date was April 17th 2019 - over 6 years of history as of review date. Which scores higher on Dependability and Return is available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
Do IWMW and RYLD pay monthly distributions?
IWMW: The fund pays distributions monthly. RYLD: Monthly distributions. Full yield and distribution stability scores for both funds are available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
See the Full IWMW vs RYLD Comparison
The Dependable Income Investing app gives you the complete picture: all 13 scoring factors for both funds, Risk and Return analyst notes, Dependability Scores, and tools to compare any income fund side by side.
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