Covered call ETFs consistently underperform basic index ETFs over time due to capped upside and higher management fees. The NEOS funds (SPYI, QQQI) stand out by using call spreads, which help minimize underperformance. Single-stock covered call ETFs, like those from YieldMax, have high fees and significantly underperform their underlying stocks; I strongly recommend avoiding them.
JEPI offers attractive dividend payouts but struggles to match the total returns of the S&P 500 index. Despite its income focus, JEPI's overall performance lags behind simple index fund investing. My investment thesis remains Bearish due to JEPI's inability to keep up with broader market returns.
JEPI remains a reliable income-focused ETF, consistently delivering its 8% annual payout target since inception despite recent market volatility. I am downgrading JEPI from a strong buy to a hold due to its underperformance compared to peers and the S&P 500 during recent sell-offs. JEPI's rules-based options strategy offers stability but lacks the flexibility of competitors like GPIX and QQQI, resulting in less upside and lower payouts during volatility.
I reiterate my buy rating on JEPI, which continues to deliver strong income and resilience during equity market stress. JEPI's yield has climbed to 8%, with a multi-year-high recent dividend, though lower volatility may reduce future payouts. The ETF offers diversified, low-volatility exposure to US large caps and mid-caps, with a lower P/E than the S&P 500.
JEPI has amassed $39.63 billion in assets under management since its inception in 2020, establishing itself as a leading high-income investment product due to its blend of income and appreciation. I prefer JEPI to JEPQ for conservative investors because it offers lower volatility, broader diversification across the S&P 500, and a stronger focus on risk mitigation compared to JEPQ. I am anticipating strong performance and sustained high yields, particularly if the Federal Reserve cuts rates, enhancing JEPI's appeal as an income-focused investment.
Option income ETFs surge in popularity with JEPQ and JEPI accumulating $5.7 billion and $3.5 billion, respectively, in capital so far this year.
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The JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF offers an 8% yield by combining stocks with a call writing strategy for income generation. JEPI's portfolio includes leading U.S. companies like Visa, Mastercard, McDonald's, Microsoft, and Amazon, providing defensive equity exposure. The JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF has a well-diversified equity portfolio and the ETF's yield has recently spiked above its longer term average yield, indicating undervaluation.
So far this year, JEPI has proved that the embedded downside protection (relative to the S&P 500) is real. Even though the ETF is down ~4.4% on a YTD and total return basis, the underlying investment case has become much more enticing than where it was several weeks ago. In this article, I elaborate on the key drivers that render JEPI an attractive choice for income investors to both enhance and diversify their portfolio yield.
JPMorgan High-yield ETF enjoys a yield higher than 7% and has performed better than S&P 500 this year.
These two ETFs provide exposure to S&P 500 and Nasdaq while offering ultimate portfolio diversification. They use the strategy of selling call options while enjoying equity ownership to generate double-digit returns.
Most income-generating stocks pay quarterly dividends. That might suit most investors, but some people -- including retirees who want their investments to pay their bills consistently -- might prefer monthly dividend payments.