ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on IWM.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Global X is known for developing thematic and alternative investment ETFs with a strong emphasis on income-generating strategies. Their 37-fund lineup spans diverse categories including covered call funds, SuperDividend income products, digital assets, commodities, and sector-specific investments, alongside traditional bond and risk-managed income options. Notable tickers like DIV, MLPA, and BCCC reflect their specialization in high-yield and alternative income strategies, positioning them as a provider focused on investors seeking yield-oriented and thematically-driven exposure.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on RYLD.
Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.
Covered Call
Asset class
Equity
Equity
Inception date
05/22/2000
04/18/2019
Beta
1.26
0.54
Last dividend
$0.6950
$0.1618
Ex-dividend date
06/15/2026
06/22/2026
Bottom lineChoose IWM if you want broad equity exposure. Choose RYLD if you want to maximize current income — roughly 12.09%, generated by selling options premium. There's no free lunch: RYLD's payout comes from selling options, which caps upside and can erode the share price over time, while IWM keeps full price exposure.
Most used
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) and RYLD (Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
RYLD offers the higher yield at 12.09% vs 0.94% for IWM. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
IWM is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.19% compared to 0.60%.
They track different benchmarks: IWM is linked to Russell 2000 Index while RYLD tracks Russell 2000, which means their performance drivers differ.
IWM is the larger fund by assets ($77.5B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Who should choose each?
Choose IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF
Want broad equity exposure.
Want to keep costs low — a 0.19% expense ratio vs 0.60% for RYLD.
Choose RYLD
Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF
Want to maximize current income — RYLD distributes roughly 12.09% from selling options premium, vs 0.94% for IWM.
Are comfortable with an options-income strategy — a large payout in exchange for capped upside.
Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 0.5 vs 1.3 for IWM.
Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, IWM would generate roughly $7.83/month, while RYLD would produce $100.75/month, at current distribution rates.
IWM yield0.94%
RYLD yield12.09%
Monthly diff on $10K$92.92
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, IWM would cost approximately $190 in fees vs $600 for RYLD (simplified, not compounded). The $410.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
IWM ER0.19%
RYLD ER0.60%
Strategy & risk
IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index with an index approach, while RYLD tracks Russell 2000 with a covered call approach. Beta is 1.26 for IWM and 0.54 for RYLD, indicating RYLD is less volatile relative to the market.
IWM beta1.26
RYLD beta0.54
Fund details
IWM is managed by iShares (launched 05/22/2000) with $77.5B in assets. RYLD is managed by Global X (launched 04/18/2019) with $1.36B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is IWM or RYLD better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. RYLD currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between IWM and RYLD?
IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) tracks Russell 2000 Index with an index approach, while RYLD (Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF) tracks Russell 2000 with a covered call approach. They are issued by iShares and Global X respectively.
Can I hold both IWM and RYLD?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Which has lower fees, IWM or RYLD?
IWM has an expense ratio of 0.19% while RYLD charges 0.60%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in IWM vs RYLD generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in IWM would generate roughly $7.83 per month ($94.00 annually). The same in RYLD would produce about $100.75 per month ($1,209.00 annually).
Explore related screeners
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