2 Income ETFs To Compete With Rising Inflation

 | Jun 22, 2022 03:31

Keeping pace with high inflation has undoubtedly been among the greatest concerns for stock investors this year. In May, the cost of living, as measured by the consumer price index, rose by 8.6%, a fresh four-decade high.

As a result, the Federal Reserve boosted interest rates by 0.75%—the highest rate hike since 1994. Fed Chair Jerome Powell also signaled more rate hikes throughout 2022.

Meanwhile, the sharp increase in bond yields and growing concerns over a potential recession have meant more headwinds for many stocks. Yet, not all sectors or asset classes necessarily suffer under inflationary times.

For instance, between 1973 and 2020 , the energy industry, including oil and gas companies, "beat inflation 71% of the time and delivered a real annual return of 9.0% per year on average." Metrics suggest other sectors that may do well include real estate, consumer staples, financials, utilities, healthcare, industrials, and materials.

With that information, here are two income-generating ETFs to consider that may be of interest in the second half of 2022.h2 1. Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF/h2

  • Current Price: $42.27
  • 52-week range: $41.79 - $51.16
  • Distribution Yield: 11.71%
  • Expense ratio: 0.60% per year

ETFs that follow a "covered call" or "buy-write" strategy have been gaining popularity, especially among investors looking to maximize yield amid volatility. Regular followers of this column would know that we frequently discuss such funds, especially on single stocks.

A covered call ETF sells call options on assets it holds to generate premium income. In other words, the strategy sells potential upside capital growth for immediate cash.

This strategy may be ideal in a sideways trading market or for investors requiring a steady monthly income. In declining markets, such a strategy also helps decrease portfolio volatility.

Today's first fund, the Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (NYSE:XYLD), offers a covered call overlay against the stocks in the S&P 500 Index. Put another way, it buys the shares of the companies in the index and sells their call options.