NEOS Gold High Income ETF

IAUI

Valor de mercado US$ 572 mi

In 2026, surging global bond yields — including here in the U.S. — are acting as significant headwinds to the gold investing thesis. But all things considered, the 3.74% year-to-date loss sported by the largest gold-backed ETF isn't terrible.

Gold produces no dividends, no coupons, and no rent, yet one ETF claims to squeeze nearly 12% in monthly income out of it.

The future of the global and U.S. economies has seldom seemed more binary. I detail two high-yielding, monthly-paying dividend machines that could help position your portfolio to profit from these two outcomes. I also detail some of the downsides of these investments and how to mitigate those cons.

A $1M hybrid portfolio can generate sustainable $6,000 monthly income with growth and capital protection elements. The portfolio balances dividend growth (SCHD, VYM), credit, real assets, options, and commodities to diversify income streams and risk. Option ETFs provide high, tax-efficient income but carry NAV erosion risk during prolonged downturns or capped upside in rallies.

As gold trades more than 20% below its late-January intraday record, many of the macro conditions that fueled its multi-year rally remain in place. For investors who still see a long-term case for the precious metal, however, one drawback remains unchanged: gold itself doesn't generate income.

Volatility in major indices has expanded the opportunity set for bargain hunting. In this context, I see opportunities that carry structurally attractive theses, but have been pushed down due to their magnified vol characteristics. I discuss 2 high-yield bargains for income investors willing to accept volatility while awaiting long-term value realization.

NEOS ETFs offer high-yield, monthly income across diverse asset classes, avoiding large-cap tech exposure and enhancing portfolio diversification. Goldman Sachs' planned $2.25B acquisition of NEOS underscores the platform's rapid growth and innovation in options-based income ETFs. Five NEOS funds—NIHI, MLPI, IYRI, IWMI, and IAUI—provide yields from 9.7% to 14.5%, with strategies tailored to international, MLP, real estate, small cap, and gold assets.

The 2018–2020 yield desert marked an inflection point for covered call ETFs. Starting from the inception of JEPI, many names have emerged that have been widely adopted by income-oriented investors. However, apart from "7-10" flagship names, other instruments haven't managed to attract significant AuM figures.

The NEOS Gold High Income ETF and the Kurv Gold Enhanced Income ETF both monetize gold upside for income but diverge in structure and return patterns, warranting close comparison for yield-focused gold investors. KGLD's upside exposure to gold sits near 86% against IAUI's ~50%, and it pays 15.80% to IAUI's 11.80%. More of the rally and more income. KGLD looks more nimble in its options book, shifting cadence week to week. IAUI prices were at the money and had its strikes breached repeatedly this year.

There's new life in the gold market, and that momentum could represent a buying opportunity for bullion-enthused investors seeking income. The NEOS Gold High Income ETF (IAUI) is ready to meet the moment.