ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for its flagship SPDR suite of exchange-traded products that serve both institutional and retail investors across a broad range of asset classes. Their 88-fund lineup spans diverse strategies including sector exposure (Select Sector SPDR), income generation (Income and Select Sector SPDR Premium Income families), commodities (including the widely-held GLD gold ETF), bonds, ESG-focused investments, and thematic allocations, with popular tickers like DIA (Diamonds Trust), FEZ (Eurozone exposure), and JNK (high-yield bonds) among their most recognized funds. The issuer is characterized by its comprehensive coverage across multiple market segments and its emphasis on both traditional index-based products and specialized strategies like covered call income funds and factor-based investing.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SPY.
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 XYLD.
Bottom lineChoose SPY if you want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund. Choose XYLD if you want to maximize current income — roughly 9.90%, generated by selling options premium. There's no free lunch: XYLD's payout comes from selling options, which caps upside and can erode the share price over time, while SPY keeps full price exposure.
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) and XYLD (Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
XYLD offers the higher yield at 9.90% vs 1.01% for SPY. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
SPY is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.10% compared to 0.60%.
SPY is the larger fund by assets ($783B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Who should choose each?
Choose SPY
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Want simple, diversified core exposure as a portfolio building block.
Want to keep costs low — a 0.10% expense ratio vs 0.60% for XYLD.
Choose XYLD
Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF
Want to maximize current income — XYLD distributes roughly 9.90% from selling options premium, vs 1.01% for SPY.
Are comfortable with an options-income strategy — a large payout in exchange for capped upside.
Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 0.4 vs 1.0 for SPY.
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, SPY would generate roughly $8.42/month, while XYLD would produce $82.50/month, at current distribution rates.
SPY yield1.01%
XYLD yield9.90%
Monthly diff on $10K$74.08
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SPY would cost approximately $100 in fees vs $600 for XYLD (simplified, not compounded). The $500.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
SPY ER0.10%
XYLD ER0.60%
Strategy & risk
SPY tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach, while XYLD tracks S&P 500 Index with a covered call approach. Beta is 1.0 for SPY and 0.41 for XYLD, indicating XYLD is less volatile relative to the market.
SPY beta1.0
XYLD beta0.41
Fund details
SPY is managed by State Street (launched 01/22/1993) with $783B in assets. XYLD is managed by Global X (launched 06/24/2013) with $3.16B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is SPY or XYLD better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. XYLD 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 SPY and XYLD?
SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach, while XYLD (Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF) tracks S&P 500 Index with a covered call approach. They are issued by State Street and Global X respectively.
Can I hold both SPY and XYLD?
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, SPY or XYLD?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.10% while XYLD charges 0.60%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in SPY vs XYLD generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in SPY would generate roughly $8.42 per month ($101.00 annually). The same in XYLD would produce about $82.50 per month ($990.00 annually).
Explore related screeners
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