iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond BuyWrite Strategy ETF

TLTW

Market cap $1.42B

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF replicates TLT and sells monthly calls. This turns volatility into income, at the expense of capital appreciation. Today the curve is steepening (bear steepening) due to higher inflation expectations, also driven by Trump's tariffs. A scenario that makes me think of TLTW as an alternative solution to TLT.

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF offers an attractive entry point as the Fed begins its rate-cutting cycle. TLTW's income-focused strategy, combining TLT exposure with a buywrite overlay, currently delivers a double-digit yield and potential for capital appreciation. A gradual rebound in TLT, rather than a sharp rally, favors TLTW's options strategy and supports sustained income generation.

Imagine stocks and funds paying you dividends monthly! Your angst awaiting dividend payout is reduced 300%, or more, compared to quarterly, semi-annual, or (ugh) annual doles! September U.S. exchange-traded-monthly-paid (MoPay) dividends, upsides, and net-gains include: 1. Stocks-by-yield (77); 2. Stocks-by price-upside (30); 3. Closed-End-Investments, Exchange-Traded-Funds & Notes (CEICs/ETFs/ETNs) by-yield >10% (80); 4. ‘Safer' Ideal-Dividend-Equities by Cash Flow Margins (31). Items: 1. Top MoPay stock gains; 2. Overall best MoPay gainers; 3. Funds vs. Equities; 4. Fund risks/rewards. 5. Safer Equity Rankings All per prices as of 8/29/25.

Let's talk about a terrific 12.2% dividend that is paid monthly.

Recent BLS jobs data revisions and declining survey response rates increase labor market uncertainty, supporting a dovish Fed pivot and potential rate cuts in September. A sharp rally in long-term Treasuries ahead of the Fed meeting could disadvantage TLTW's covered call strategy, capping its upside versus TLT. Given the current environment, I recommend holding a mix of TLT and TLTW to balance premium income with potential for price appreciation.

TLTW invests in long-term treasuries and writes covered calls on its holdings. TLTW's strategy results in a sky-high 17.3% distribution yield, but also consistent distribution cuts and declining prices. Current market conditions favor the fund, as broadly stable interest rates minimize price losses while distributions remain high.

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond BuyWrite Strategy ETF is attractive as a short-to-medium term hedge against rising yields, but maybe not suitable for a long-term buy & hold strategy. Current macro conditions could continue to favor TLTW's income strategy over TLT for now. But if we extend the investment horizon to TLT's duration, how much return will be eroded by selling a 2% OTM call with monthly rolling?

June U.S. exchange-traded monthly paid (MoPay) dividends, upsides, and net-gains include: 1. Stocks-by-yield (80); 2. Stocks-by-price-upside (30); 3. Closed-End-Investments, Exchange-Traded-Funds & Notes (CEICs/ETFs/ETNs) by yield >10% (80); 4. ‘Safer' Ideal-Dividend-Equities by Cash-Flow-Margins. Analyst estimates suggest top MoPay stocks could net 16.48% to 33.67% gains by June 2026, with an average net gain of 23.57% and higher-than-market risk. The dogcatcher rule highlights 31 'safer' MoPay stocks where dividends from $1K invested exceed share price, positive returns, and strong free cash flow coverage.

TLTW's buy-write strategy has outperformed as 20+ year yields remained stable, supporting income generation. The current macro environment is stable, with low recession odds, steady unemployment, and little reason to expect sudden Fed rate cuts. The Fund's rolling option strategy faces technical risk as it operates during a bearish overstretch in 20+ year Treasury yields, increasing the risk of underperformance.

I am downgrading the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond BuyWrite Strategy ETF from Strong Buy to Hold due to rising risks of a significant rally in long-term Treasuries. TLTW employs a covered call strategy, which performs best in a sideways trading range but limits upside in strong rallies, making TLT a better option now. The recent sell-off in Treasuries appears driven by liquidity needs rather than fundamentals, suggesting the potential for a substantial recovery in TLT, which TLTW may underperform.