Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both KGLD and RNTY fall intoTier 4: Harvest. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | KGLD | RNTY |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 0.00% | 7.53% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 0.00% | -4.05% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.45% | -8.34% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
KGLD (Kurv Gold Enhanced Income ETF) is a options-based income fund managed by Kurv. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $49.1M in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Generates enhanced income through covered call options on equity holdings, trading upside potential for premium income.
RNTY (YieldMax Target 12 Real Estate Option Income ETF) is a options-based income fund managed by YieldMax. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $3.7M in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Generates enhanced income through covered call options on equity holdings, trading upside potential for premium income.
In the head-to-head battle of KGLD vs RNTY, the choice depends on your specific goal. RNTY wins for Immediate Income with a 11.58% yield. However, RNTY is the better choice for Long-Term Growth due to superior total return performance.
Which fund is safer for retirement income? We analyze the yield sustainability and structural risk.
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
KGLD
Annual Yield: 10.16%
$847/mo
($10,161/year)
Frequency: monthly
RNTY
Annual Yield: 11.58%
$965/mo
($11,582/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: RNTY generates $1,421/year more than KGLD on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $28,423 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Higher income doesn't always mean better investment. Review the "Yield Trap" and "Total Return" sections above—you want income that's sustainable, not just headline-grabbing.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. RNTY has delivered a superior Total Return of 7.53% over the past year.
What is Max Drawdown? Max drawdown measures the largest peak-to-trough decline in portfolio value during a specific period. Unlike NAV change (which only looks at start vs. end), max drawdown captures the worst moment of pain an investor experienced.
Real-World Scenario: $100,000 Investment
RNTY (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -8.34%
-$8,340
Worst unrealized loss
KGLD (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -36.45%
-$36,450
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: RNTY saved investors $28,110 in drawdown severity on a $100k position.
Why This Matters More Than Total Return: During bear markets or corrections, investors with lower max drawdown are:
⚖️ Capital Preservation Winner: RNTY demonstrated superior downside protection, making it the better choice for retirees who cannot afford steep temporary losses.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.