Safe Yield vs Options Income via ETFs (Covered-Call ETFs)
Two published track records side by side — same data, same methodology, zero verdicts.
Safe Yield
coreParks 100% in short-term government T-bills (BIL, 1-3 month US Treasuries) — the risk-free rate in USD, at near-zero volatility. A safe harbour and the benchmark every other strategy must beat. Not truly risk-free once you cross currencies (FX), sell long bonds early (duration) or count inflation — match it to your own currency (PLN: EDO/ETFBCASH, EUR: XEON).
Full track record →
Options Income via ETFs (Covered-Call ETFs)
coreAn equally-weighted, monthly-refreshed basket of covered-call / option-income ETFs (JEPI, JEPQ, QYLD, XYLD, RYLD, DIVO) — options exposure via real, total-return funds, not a fabricated option backtest. Covered calls trade upside for income: expect a smoother ride but less upside than a stock index. A fund's headline yield is not its total return, and no edge over holding the underlying is claimed. These funds use derivatives and may count as complex products at your broker (appropriateness test).
Full track record →
The numbers, side by side
| Safe Yield | Options Income via ETFs (Covered-Call ETFs) | |
|---|---|---|
| CAGR | 2.9% | 11.0% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 0.3% | 11.8% |
| Sharpe | -0.20 | 0.70 |
| Sortino | -0.27 | 0.99 |
| Max drawdown | -0.4% | -17.3% |
| Calmar | 7.37 | 0.64 |
| Simulated since | 2020-09 | 2020-09 |
Simulated backtests (up to 6 years of point-in-time data, costs included) — not live results. Methodology: here. Past performance does not predict future results.
What the data says
- Options Income via ETFs (Covered-Call ETFs) posted the higher CAGR (11.0% vs 2.9%).
- Safe Yield fell less at its worst (-0.4% vs -17.3%).
- Safe Yield had the calmer ride (volatility 0.3% vs 11.8%).
These are facts from the published snapshots, not a recommendation — the rules differ in their risk profile. Overlay both equity curves in the interactive comparison tool.