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SO vs QYLD: Dividend Comparison 2026

SO yields 3.42% · QYLD yields 11.43% · See full DRIP projection below

vsEnter any two US tickers
After 10 years · $10,000 invested · DRIP enabled
🏆 SO wins by $2.2K in total portfolio value
10 years
SO
The Southern Company
3.42%
Share price
$84.20
Annual div
$2.88
5Y div CAGR
3.1%
Payout ratio
72%
After 10 yrs · $10,000 · DRIP
Portfolio value
$21.7K
Annual income
$613.85
Full SO calculator →
QYLD
Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF
11.43%
Share price
$16.80
Annual div
$1.92
5Y div CAGR
-2.1%
Payout ratio
95%
After 10 yrs · $10,000 · DRIP
Portfolio value
$19.5K
Annual income
$3,553.75
Full QYLD calculator →

Portfolio growth — SO vs QYLD

Annual dividend income

MetricSOQYLD
Forward yield3.42%11.43%
Annual dividend / share$2.88$1.92
Payout ratio72%95%
1-year div growth3%-5.2%
5-year div CAGR3.1%-2.1%
Portfolio after 10y$21.7K$19.5K
Annual income after 10y$613.85$3,553.75
Total dividends collected$4.7K$20.2K
Payment frequencyquarterlymonthly
SectorUtilitiesETF

Year-by-year: SO vs QYLD ($10,000, DRIP)

YearSO PortfolioSO Income/yrQYLD PortfolioQYLD Income/yrGap
1$10,833$352.65$10,279$1,118.86+$554.00SO
2$11,728$375.81$10,645$1,229.16+$1.1KSO
3$12,692$400.29$11,111$1,360.44+$1.6KSO
4$13,727$426.14$11,695$1,517.70+$2.0KSO
5$14,839$453.42$12,420$1,707.39+$2.4KSO
6$16,034$482.21$13,315$1,937.94+$2.7KSO
7$17,316$512.58$14,417$2,220.42+$2.9KSO
8$18,692$544.59$15,775$2,569.54+$2.9KSO
9$20,167$578.32$17,455$3,005.06+$2.7KSO
10$21,749$613.85$19,543$3,553.75+$2.2KSO

SO vs QYLD: Complete Analysis 2026

SOUtilities

Southern Company is a Dividend Aristocrat with 23+ consecutive years of increases. It serves 9M+ customers across Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi through its regulated electric and gas utilities. Vogtle Unit 4 nuclear plant completion in 2024 adds decades of low-carbon baseload generation capacity.

Full SO Calculator →

QYLDETF

QYLD sells covered calls on the full Nasdaq 100 index, generating very high monthly income (10%+ yield). The strategy caps upside participation in exchange for income. Best suited for investors who prioritize maximum current income over capital appreciation. NAV erosion over time is a known trade-off.

Full QYLD Calculator →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SO or QYLD better for dividend income in 2026?
SO currently offers a 3.42% yield (2.88/share/year) while QYLD offers 11.43% (1.92/share/year). QYLD provides higher current income. However, SO has grown its dividend faster (3.1% 5Y CAGR), which may lead to better long-term income through compounding.
How much would $10,000 in SO vs QYLD earn per year?
With $10,000 invested today: SO pays approximately $342/year. QYLD pays approximately $1143/year. With DRIP reinvestment over 10 years, these grow to $614/year (SO) and $3,554/year (QYLD).
Does SO or QYLD pay monthly dividends?
SO pays quarterly dividends. QYLD pays monthly dividends. QYLD pays monthly, which is preferred by investors who need regular cash flow.
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⚠️ Educational purposes only. Not financial advice. All projections use historical data; actual results will vary.