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SO vs XYLD: Dividend Comparison 2026

SO yields 3.42% · XYLD yields 9.02% · See full DRIP projection below

vsEnter any two US tickers
After 10 years · $10,000 invested · DRIP enabled
🏆 SO wins by $609.00 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 →
XYLD
Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF
9.02%
Share price
$38.60
Annual div
$3.48
5Y div CAGR
0.5%
Payout ratio
90%
After 10 yrs · $10,000 · DRIP
Portfolio value
$21.1K
Annual income
$2,363.75
Full XYLD calculator →

Portfolio growth — SO vs XYLD

Annual dividend income

MetricSOXYLD
Forward yield3.42%9.02%
Annual dividend / share$2.88$3.48
Payout ratio72%90%
1-year div growth3%-2.1%
5-year div CAGR3.1%0.5%
Portfolio after 10y$21.7K$21.1K
Annual income after 10y$613.85$2,363.75
Total dividends collected$4.7K$15.0K
Payment frequencyquarterlymonthly
SectorUtilitiesETF

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

YearSO PortfolioSO Income/yrXYLD PortfolioXYLD Income/yrGap
1$10,833$352.65$10,626$906.06+$207.00SO
2$11,728$375.81$11,324$995.47+$404.00SO
3$12,692$400.29$12,104$1,096.88+$588.00SO
4$13,727$426.14$12,977$1,212.21+$750.00SO
5$14,839$453.42$13,958$1,343.80+$881.00SO
6$16,034$482.21$15,061$1,494.40+$973.00SO
7$17,316$512.58$16,307$1,667.30+$1.0KSO
8$18,692$544.59$17,717$1,866.48+$975.00SO
9$20,167$578.32$19,317$2,096.71+$850.00SO
10$21,749$613.85$21,140$2,363.75+$609.00SO

SO vs XYLD: 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 →

XYLDETF

XYLD sells covered calls on the S&P 500, converting equity volatility into monthly income. Yields 8-10% depending on market conditions. Similar to QYLD but with S&P 500 exposure — less volatile but comparable income mechanics. Popular for retirement income portfolios alongside other dividend ETFs.

Full XYLD Calculator →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SO or XYLD better for dividend income in 2026?
SO currently offers a 3.42% yield (2.88/share/year) while XYLD offers 9.02% (3.48/share/year). XYLD 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 XYLD earn per year?
With $10,000 invested today: SO pays approximately $342/year. XYLD pays approximately $902/year. With DRIP reinvestment over 10 years, these grow to $614/year (SO) and $2,364/year (XYLD).
Does SO or XYLD pay monthly dividends?
SO pays quarterly dividends. XYLD pays monthly dividends. XYLD 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.