HCOW vs RFDA
Amplify COWS Covered Call ETF vs ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Which is better, HCOW or RFDA?
RFDA has been ahead.
RFDA has a lower expense ratio. RFDA led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. RFDA is less concentrated, with 30.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.6%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | HCOW | RFDA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.52%Best |
| AUM | $17M | $77M |
| Dividend Yield | 13.09% | 2.00% |
| Holdings | 86 | 77 |
| YTD Return | +8.81% | +14.73%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.59% | +16.68%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.63% | +20.07%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.87% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 11.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.1% | -19.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $13,468 | $17,291Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.6% | 30.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Amplify ETFs | ALPS Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2023 | Jun 6, 2016 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 20, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3.1 years).
HCOW vs RFDA growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 3.1 years both funds cover.
HCOW vs RFDA Performance
Amplify COWS Covered Call ETF (HCOW) is an ETF from Amplify ETFs and ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors. Over the past year HCOW returned +15.59% while RFDA returned +16.68%. Year to date, HCOW is up 8.81% versus a gain of 14.73% for RFDA.
Over three years, HCOW compounded at +10.63% per year against +20.07% for RFDA.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HCOW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 11.5% for RFDA. 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 -24.1% for HCOW and -19.4% for RFDA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HCOW charges 0.65% per year while RFDA charges 0.52%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $52 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HCOW currently yields 13.09% against 2.00% for RFDA.
Holdings Overlap
20.1% of HCOW's money is in holdings RFDA also owns. 6.9% of RFDA's money is in holdings HCOW also owns.
HCOW and RFDA share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in HCOW and 75 in RFDA, against full books of 86 and 77.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 67 positions for RFDA that do not appear in our book for HCOW (89.6% of the fund), and 26 for HCOW that do not appear in RFDA (80.2%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
20.1% of HCOW is already inside RFDA.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, HCOW or RFDA?
HCOW has an expense ratio of 0.65% while RFDA charges 0.52%. RFDA is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HCOW or RFDA?
Over the past year HCOW returned +15.59% vs +16.68% for RFDA, so RFDA leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HCOW or RFDA?
HCOW has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 11.5% for RFDA. Worst drawdown: HCOW -24.1% vs RFDA -19.4%.
Should I hold both HCOW and RFDA?
HCOW and RFDA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between HCOW and RFDA?
20.1% of HCOW's money is in holdings RFDA also owns. 6.9% of RFDA's is in holdings HCOW also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in HCOW and 75 in RFDA.
Which pays a higher dividend, HCOW or RFDA?
HCOW yields 13.09% while RFDA yields 2.00%, so HCOW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFDA better than HCOW?
RFDA has a lower expense ratio. RFDA led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. RFDA is less concentrated, with 30.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.