- As of Nov 4, 2026, the median income ETF paid 16.5% in cash over a year but its price moved -9.6%, for a total return of 6.4%.
In plain words
Price return is the change in the fund’s price. Total return adds the cash it paid, as if reinvested. A fund that pays a lot can have a negative price return and still a positive total return, and the reverse.
Among 264 income ETFs with a full year, the median paid 16.5% in cash, the price moved -9.6%, and the total return was 6.4%. 189 of them ended the year with a lower price. ETFIQ shows both over the same dates, with the benchmark’s total return beside them.
Questions
- Which number answers my question?
Total return answers what you got. Price return and cash show how you got it.
- Does total return assume I reinvest?
Yes. It adds each payment back on the day it was paid.
- Where do I see both?
On every income fund page, over the same window.