Covered Call ETFs

Discussion in 'ETFs' started by gwb-trading, Jul 15, 2025 at 1:05 PM.

  1. gwb-trading

    gwb-trading

    Looking for a sources of information on Covered Call ETFs. I tried to provide one source, a link to a Google Spreadsheet, but it does not display or link properly.

    Here is a screen shot.

    Covered-Call-ETF-List.jpg
     
  2. newwurldmn

    newwurldmn

    basically scams.
    The purport cash flow but will often dip into their capital base to provide that cash flow (ie they paying dividends with your own money).
     
    lindq and nbbo like this.
  3. gwb-trading

    gwb-trading

    I tend to agree. At least 60% of them display continual degrading NAV. There are a few which are better (without significantly degrading NAV) if you are seeking income (SPYI and QQQI in my opinion). But you would still be better off from a Total Returns perspective by just investing in the underlying index (SPY and QQQ).

    Typical the funds with lower NAV erosion are using OTM calls, the portfolio coverage is less than 90%, pay monthly and have dividend yields below 20%.
     
    Lou Friedman likes this.
  4. newwurldmn

    newwurldmn

    Exactly.

    plus tax benefits of just being long are better.

    you can overwrite yourself when you think it opportunistically makes sense. There’s a handful of times when upside distribution is prob not going to be realized (like now).
     
    nbbo and gwb-trading like this.
  5. gwb-trading

    gwb-trading


    I will note that all of them have high expense ratios (at least from my perspective).
     
  6. wxytrader

    wxytrader

    Nav decreasing is a healthy characteristic for high-yield dividends... If nav didn't decrease during lean times, these yields would be unsustainable. For other moderate dividends or growth dividends, yeah, you would expect growth... But you also get much lower income.
     
  7. newwurldmn

    newwurldmn

    agreed. I would do it myself if I were you.

    the idea of buy writing is sound. It’s not cash flow though. It’s speculation.
     
    nbbo and gwb-trading like this.
  8. wxytrader

    wxytrader

    That's like $600 a year on $100,000 invested for most of them.. you're going to spend more than that on fees doing it yourself. Anyway, it's all a moot point if you're not willing to hold on to the shares... If you're going to close for a loss everytime price goes against you, it will be nothing more than an exercise in futility. ESPECIALLY with your level of TA.
     
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2025 at 6:38 PM
  9. SPYI is the new "wunderkid," better than QYLD and RYLD for the long term. It offers small growth with dependable income (12.5%).
    Feature SPYI QYLD RYLD
    Yield (current) ~12% ~12% ~12-13%
    Upside Growth ✅ Moderate ❌ Capped ❌ Capped
    Tax Efficiency ✅ Yes (60/40 rule) ❌ Less ❌ Less
    Volatility ✅ Lower ⚠️ Moderate ❌ High
    Drawdown Risk ✅ Lower (broad S&P) ⚠️ Tech-heavy ❌ Small-cap risk
    Monthly Income ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
     
  10. wxytrader

    wxytrader


    12.5%??? That wouldn't even cover the gas on my (2208) Lambo....