XYLD vs SPYT: Income Fund Comparison
GlobalX S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) and Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF - US (SPYT) 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: XYLD individual review · SPYT individual review
XYLD: MER is 0.6%. SPYT: Expense ratio is 0.87%. XYLD fund started June 21st 2013 and is one of the original covered call index funds. SPYT the fund was established March 7 2024 - just over 2 years of history. Full Dependability and Return scores for both funds are available in the app.
| XYLD | SPYT | |
|---|---|---|
| Fund Name | GlobalX S&P 500 Covered Call ETF | Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF - US |
| Fund Type | Index Based Fund | Index Based Fund |
| Exchange | NYSE/NASDAQ | NYSE/NASDAQ |
| Last Reviewed | 2025-12-24 | 2026-04-07 |
| Author | Adam Hyde, Income Investing Analyst | |
🔒 Full scores available — with Premium subscription
Compare Performance — Free →Fund Attributes: XYLD vs SPYT 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.
MER is 0.6%.
Expense ratio is 0.87%.
Mirae Asset Global Investments - a South Korean financial services company - manages over US$200 billion in assets worldwide.
Defiance ETFs manages approximately $7.32 billion across its ETF suite.
Fund started June 21st 2013 and is one of the original covered call index funds.
The fund was established March 7 2024 - just over 2 years of history.
3.1 billion in this fund.
Net assets are approximately $138 million.
Risk: XYLD vs SPYT 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.
Beta is 0.41 which is lower than the S&P 500 itself.
Beta is 1.0154 vs SPY over the data series from 2024-03-15 to 2026-03-28 - in line with the market. Standalone volatility is 14.23% annualized (weekly total returns) - low to moderate price choppiness.
See the full Risk analysis for both XYLD and SPYT — volatility ratings, diversification scores, and analyst notes.
View Plans →Return: XYLD vs SPYT 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.
Pays monthly.
Monthly distributions confirmed by distribution history.
See the full Return analysis for both XYLD and SPYT — 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 XYLD and SPYT are available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
See our full scoring methodology →
Frequently Asked Questions: XYLD vs SPYT
Which has a lower expense ratio, XYLD or SPYT?
XYLD: MER is 0.6%.
SPYT: Expense ratio is 0.87%.
Which fund has more assets under management, XYLD or SPYT?
XYLD: 3.1 billion in this fund.
SPYT: Net assets are approximately $138 million.
Which fund has been trading longer, XYLD or SPYT?
XYLD: Fund started June 21st 2013 and is one of the original covered call index funds.
SPYT: The fund was established March 7 2024 - just over 2 years of history.
Who manages XYLD vs SPYT?
XYLD: Mirae Asset Global Investments - a South Korean financial services company - manages over US$200 billion in assets worldwide.
SPYT: Defiance ETFs manages approximately $7.32 billion across its ETF suite.
Where can I see the full XYLD vs SPYT 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 XYLD and SPYT?
GlobalX S&P 500 Covered Call ETF is a Index Based Fund. MER is 0.6%. Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF - US is a Index Based Fund. Expense ratio is 0.87%. Full comparison including Dependability Score is available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
Which is better for income investors, XYLD or SPYT?
XYLD: MER is 0.6%. Fund started June 21st 2013 and is one of the original covered call index funds. SPYT: Expense ratio is 0.87%. The fund was established March 7 2024 - just over 2 years of history. Which scores higher on Dependability and Return is available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
Do XYLD and SPYT pay monthly distributions?
XYLD: Pays monthly. SPYT: Monthly distributions confirmed by distribution history. Full yield and distribution stability scores for both funds are available in the Dependable Income Investing app.
See the Full XYLD vs SPYT 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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