FTHI and XYLG are both covered call ETFs tracking the same benchmark, but with different approaches. FTHI offers a 8.97% yield, while XYLG provides a 12.83% yield. Compare their scores, yields, and performance metrics to find the best fit for your portfolio.
Compare covered call ETFs with the same benchmark side by side
First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF
5.78
Overall Score
Global X S&P 500 Covered Call & Growth ETF
6.89
Overall Score
| Criteria | FTHI | XYLG |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 5.78 6.89 | |
| Total Return (25%) | 3.80 7.58 | |
| Downside Protection (25%) | 5.38 5.05 | |
| Upside Participation (25%) | 6.54 7.83 | |
| Consistency (15%) | 9.93 8.03 | |
| Expense Ratio (5%) | 1.88 5.00 | |
| Liquidity (5%) | 5.27 6.29 |
Since Inception
3 Years
Pro only
1 Year
Pro only
3 Months
Pro only
| Metric | FTHI | XYLG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.750% | 0.600% |
| Inception Date | Jan 6, 2014 | Oct 5, 2020 |
| Issuer | First Trust | Global X |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Maturity Rating | 5/5 stars | 4/5 stars |
A 9.0% yield with a 69% overwrite, but the worst drawdown (-23.6%) was nearly identical to SPY's (-23.9%).
Investor Profile:
FTHI holds about 192 U.S.-listed equities of all sizes and writes covered calls on the S&P 500 Index. The overwrite averages 69% of NAV, with calls about 0.6% out of the money and 26 days to expiry on average. First Trust Advisors manages it and the fund pays monthly.
Captured 78% of S&P 500 upside and 76% of the downside; the 12.8% TTM yield includes a one-off, and the regular yield is 5.6%.
Investor Profile:
XYLG tracks the Cboe S&P 500 Half BuyWrite Index. It holds the S&P 500 stocks, 506 positions, and sells one-month at-the-money calls on up to half of each holding, which leaves the rest free to follow the index. It paid a one-time distribution of $2.14 per share on Dec 30, 2025. It pays monthly.
Both funds are scored on total return, downside protection, upside participation, distribution consistency, cost and liquidity, against the same benchmark and the same window.
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