Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is a ETF from Vanguard (US) and Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) is a ETF from Global X by mirae Asset. Over the past year VTI returned +19.82% while XYLD returned +17.92%. Year to date, VTI is up 10.14% versus a gain of 7.81% for XYLD.

Over three years, VTI compounded at +18.94% per year against +11.27% for XYLD; over five years the annualized figures are +11.79% and +7.74% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +7.99% annualized vs +4.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% compared with 11.2% for XYLD. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -56.6% for VTI and -34.7% for XYLD. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

VTI charges 0.03% per year while XYLD charges 0.60%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $60 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.07% against 10.37% for XYLD.