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ETF Comparison

RDTE vs XDTE: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of Roundhill RDTE Russell 2000 0DTE Covered Call Strategy and Roundhill S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated September 18, 2026

Best for

  • RDTEInvestors who want to maximize current income — roughly 20.96%, generated by selling options premium.
  • XDTEInvestors who are comfortable trading away most upside for a large, steady payout.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings.

RDTE has outpaced XDTE over the trailing twelve months, posting a 18.41% total return against 16.20%. Measured from Sep 2024 — the start of shared available history — RDTE has compounded at 17.70% a year versus 15.55% for XDTE. XDTE has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 12.0% against 16.9% for RDTE. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTD1YSince Sep 2024Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
RDTE15.94%18.41%17.70%16.9%0.731.05-9.2%
XDTE10.97%16.20%15.55%12.0%0.881.23-7.7%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 18, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Sep 2024” measures every fund from September 10, 2024 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the past year. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the past year) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricRDTEXDTE
Full nameRoundhill RDTE Russell 2000 0DTE Covered Call StrategyRoundhill S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF
IssuerRoundhill InvestmentsRoundhill Investments
Underlying indexRussell 2000S&P 500
Last Close$26.80 as of September 18, 2026$38.36 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate20.96%15.18%
Distribution Safety Score™ 7876
Safety-Adjusted Yield 16.35%11.54%
Expense ratio0.97%0.97%
AUM$182M$333M
Distribution frequencyWeeklyWeekly
ObjectiveSeeks weekly income by investing at least 80% of net assets in instruments that provide exposure to the Russell 2000 Index and writing zero-days-to-expiration (0DTE) call options against that exposure.Seeks weekly income through a covered call strategy that combines a long position in the S&P 500 Index with short zero-days-to-expiration (0DTE) call options on the index.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date09/10/202403/07/2024
Beta1.17850.91
Last dividend$0.108 payable today$0.112 payable today
Ex-dividend date09/17/202609/17/2026

Bottom lineChoose RDTE if you want to maximize current income — roughly 20.96%, generated by selling options premium. Choose XDTE if you are comfortable trading away most upside for a large, steady payout. RDTE and XDTE both use option or derivative overlays. Their tradeoff is the underlying exposure, how each option strategy is implemented, and the yield each targets; either overlay can limit upside participation, so neither offers uncapped price exposure.

How the risk works

Read this before the income numbers below: the strategy mechanics on this page shape what those payouts can cost you.

  • Capped upside and premium dependence. RDTE and XDTE generate income by selling options, which trades away part of a strong rally in exchange for premium. Distributions can include return of capital, and a payout the underlying assets cannot sustain shows up as NAV erosion over time — the big yield number is not free.

Learn the mechanics: Return of capital, explained · NAV erosion, explained

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Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

Roundhill Investments
ETFs56
Total AUM$37.3B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Roundhill Investments is known for offering innovative, specialized ETFs that often feature weekly dividend distributions and exposure to trending themes and individual mega-cap stocks. Their lineup spans income-focused strategies, leveraged products, thematic investments in areas like cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, and weekly-pay funds that appeal to investors seeking frequent distributions. The issuer has built a distinctive niche with products targeting both traditional income seekers and those interested in emerging sectors, offering a diverse range of tickers that go well beyond conventional dividend vehicles.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on RDTE and XDTE.

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Quick verdict

RDTE (Roundhill RDTE Russell 2000 0DTE Covered Call Strategy) and XDTE (Roundhill S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF) are both weekly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

RDTE offers the higher yield at 20.96% vs 15.18% for XDTE. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

They have different reference exposures: RDTE is linked to Russell 2000 while XDTE is linked to S&P 500, which means their performance drivers differ.

XDTE is the larger fund by assets ($333M), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose RDTE

Roundhill RDTE Russell 2000 0DTE Covered Call Strategy

  • Want to maximize current income — RDTE distributes roughly 20.96% from selling options premium, vs 15.18% for XDTE.
  • Are comfortable with an options-income strategy — a large payout in exchange for capped upside.

Choose XDTE

Roundhill S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF

  • Are comfortable with an options-income strategy — a large payout in exchange for capped upside.
  • Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 0.9 vs 1.2 for RDTE.

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, RDTE would generate roughly $174.67/month, while XDTE would produce $126.50/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay weekly distributions.

RDTE yield20.96%
XDTE yield15.18%
Monthly diff on $10K$48.17

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, RDTE would cost approximately $970 in fees vs $970 for XDTE (simplified, not compounded). Both charge the same expense ratio.

RDTE ER0.97%
XDTE ER0.97%

Strategy & risk

RDTE tracks Russell 2000 with a covered call approach, while XDTE tracks S&P 500 with a covered call approach. Beta is 1.1785 for RDTE and 0.91 for XDTE, making XDTE the less volatile of the two by this measure.

RDTE beta1.1785
XDTE beta0.91

Fund details

RDTE is managed by Roundhill Investments (launched 09/10/2024) with $182M in assets. XDTE is managed by Roundhill Investments (launched 03/07/2024) with $333M in assets.

RDTE AUM$182M
XDTE AUM$333M
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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution rate for RDTE and XDTE?

RDTE currently distributes 20.96% and XDTE 15.18%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is RDTE or XDTE better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. RDTE 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 RDTE and XDTE?

RDTE (Roundhill RDTE Russell 2000 0DTE Covered Call Strategy) tracks Russell 2000 with a covered call approach, while XDTE (Roundhill S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF) tracks S&P 500 with a covered call approach. They are issued by Roundhill Investments and Roundhill Investments respectively.

Can I hold both RDTE and XDTE?

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.

Is RDTE or XDTE safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — they are effectively tied: RDTE scores 78, XDTE scores 76. Neither has a clear safety edge on that measure. XDTE has also shown lower price volatility (beta 0.91 vs 1.18 for RDTE). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee, and the leverage, options-income, or crypto caveats flagged on this page apply regardless of score.

Which has lower fees, RDTE or XDTE?

RDTE and XDTE both charge the same expense ratio of 0.97%, so neither is cheaper on fees — pick based on yield, strategy, or underlying index instead.

How much income does $10,000 in RDTE vs XDTE generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in RDTE would generate roughly $174.67 per month ($2,096.00 annually). The same in XDTE would produce about $126.50 per month ($1,518.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, RDTE or XDTE?

RDTE has outpaced XDTE over the trailing twelve months, posting a 18.41% total return against 16.20%. Measured from Sep 2024 — the start of shared available history — RDTE has compounded at 17.70% a year versus 15.55% for XDTE. XDTE has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 12.0% against 16.9% for RDTE. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

RDTE vs XDTE — at a glance

Generated September 19, 2026.

Overview

RDTE and XDTE are both weekly-income ETFs using zero-days-to-expiration (0DTE) covered call strategies, but they target different indexes. Both roll their short calls daily as they expire, capturing premium from the steep decay curve in 0DTE options.

How they differ

The biggest difference is their underlying index. That's a structural choice about market exposure, not just a yield tweak. XDTE has pulled in more assets at $333M versus $182M, and it has been running longer (inception 03/07/2024 versus 09/10/2024), giving it a deeper track record through market moves.

Who each is best for

  • RDTE: Fits investors seeking higher income from small-cap exposure who can tolerate the concentration risk of the Russell 2000 and are comfortable with the elevated volatility that comes with tighter option spreads and a newer fund.

Key risks to know

  • NAV erosion at ultra-high distribution yields. Both funds distribute well above typical equity returns—20.96% and 15.18% respectively. Sustaining yields this high requires consistent capital return, meaning NAV will likely erode over time unless underlying equity prices rise enough to offset the distributions. This is particularly acute for RDTE given its higher payout rate.
  • 0DTE gamma and assignment risk. Writing calls that expire the same day exposes the fund to sharp gamma swings if the market gaps at open. Assignment (forced sale of shares at the strike) can happen unexpectedly, and the fund must reinvest proceeds quickly—timing that reinvestment in a volatile market is a drag on returns that isn't fully predictable.
  • Russell 2000 concentration and liquidity. RDTE's small-cap focus means lower trading volume in the underlying options and higher bid-ask spreads, which can inflate the true cost of rolling positions weekly. Small-cap call premiums are juicier but noisier, and a sustained sell-off in small caps can widen those spreads further.
  • Limited track record in adverse conditions. Both funds are recent (XDTE launched 03/07/2024, RDTE 09/10/2024). They have not yet cycled through a significant market correction, rising-rate environment, or volatility crush—scenarios where 0DTE premiums can dry up or become negative, forcing the fund to either stop rolling or absorb losses.

Bottom line

If you want the highest income yield and are willing to accept small-cap volatility and a newer strategy, RDTE stands out; if you prefer broad-market exposure with lower volatility and a longer operational history, XDTE is the more seasoned option. Neither fund escapes the core math: both are distributing far more than equities typically earn, so both will likely face NAV headwinds unless equity prices rise sharply. Past performance does not predict future results, and the sustainability of these yields depends heavily on continued high implied volatility in 0DTE options.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

How covered-call funds work How to read a fund's stats The covered-call opportunity cost

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